Monday, June 13, 2016

No U.S. Decision Yet On Troop Levels In Afghanistan



Reuters: U.S. may not make Afghanistan troop decision by Warsaw summit

U.S. President Barack Obama may not decide before a NATO summit next month whether to alter plans to nearly halve America's forces in Afghanistan, a diplomat and a U.S. official said.

A decision had been expected at or before the summit in Warsaw on July 8-9 on whether to stick to plans to slash the 9,800 troops to 5,500 before Obama leaves office next year.

Former commanders and envoys have warned that it would be a mistake. And with preparations in full swing for the summit, the timing of any decision by Obama remains unclear.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter flies to Brussels on Monday to meet NATO counterparts, with Afghanistan expected to be high on the agenda.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The U.S. rules for engagement have been expanded .... Obama okays new authority for U.S. forces in Afghanistan (CNN) .... so if I was a betting man, I would expect the same for troop levels or a least a maintenance of the status quo.

Update: This is so true .... Afghanistan: A War of Politics, Not Policy (Stratfor).

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