Officials: Pentagon Planning Troop Pullout From Afghanistan
Share
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is developing plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Thursday, marking a sharp change in the Trump administration’s policy aimed at forcing the Taliban to the peace table after more than 17 years of war.
One official said the troops could be out by summer, but no final decision has been made.
One official said the troops could be out by summer, but no final decision has been made.President Donald Trump has long pushed to pull troops out of Afghanistan, considering the war a lost cause. But earlier this year, he was persuaded by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and others military leaders to keep troops on the ground to pressure the Taliban and battle a stubborn Islamic State insurgency. Officials said the latest White House push for withdrawal was another key factor in Mattis’ decision to resign Thursday.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
More Than 2,400 US Troops Killed
U.S. troops stormed into Afghanistan in November 2001 in an invasion triggered by the Sept. 11 attacks.
America has lost more than 2,400 soldiers and spent more than $900 billion in its longest war.
Since then, America has lost more than 2,400 soldiers and spent more than $900 billion in its longest war. Three U.S. presidents have pledged to bring peace to Afghanistan, either by adding or withdrawing troops, by engaging the Taliban or shunning them, and by struggling to combat widespread corruption in the government.The U.S. and NATO formally concluded their combat mission in 2014, but American and allied troops remain, conducting strikes on the Islamic State group and the Taliban and working to train and build the Afghan military.
Taliban insurgents, however, control nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since a 2001 U.S.-led invasion. They carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces and government officials.
In recent months, however, there has been a renewed effort to make progress on peace talks with the Taliban. Officials now worry that any move to withdraw U.S. troops this year could dampen those prospects and simply encourage the Taliban to wait it out until they can take advantage of the gaps when the forces leave.
RELATED TOPICS:
Senate Rebukes Trump’s Tariffs as Some Republicans Vote to Halt Taxes on Canadian Imports
Politics /
13 hours ago
Supreme Court Sides With the FDA in Its Dispute Over Sweet-Flavored Vaping Products
Politics /
17 hours ago
Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars
Economy /
18 hours ago
Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption
Animals /
18 hours ago
Big Brands Spend Just Enough on X to Avoid Musk’s ‘Naughty List’
Business /
19 hours ago
Judge Dismisses Corruption Case Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams
Courts /
19 hours ago
Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion
Opinion /
20 hours ago
Hungary to Exit ICC as Netanyahu Visits Amid Arrest Warrant Dispute
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary will start the process to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, an official said Thursday, just as Isr...
World /
9 minutes ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

World /
9 minutes ago
Hungary to Exit ICC as Netanyahu Visits Amid Arrest Warrant Dispute

World /
13 minutes ago
Rubio Visits NATO Amid European Alarm Over Trump’s Agenda

Economy /
18 minutes ago
Dow Drops 1,200 as US Stock Market Leads a Worldwide Sell-off Following Trump’s Tariff Shock

Politics /
13 hours ago
Senate Rebukes Trump’s Tariffs as Some Republicans Vote to Halt Taxes on Canadian Imports

Politics /
17 hours ago
Supreme Court Sides With the FDA in Its Dispute Over Sweet-Flavored Vaping Products

Economy /
18 hours ago
Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars

Animals /
18 hours ago
Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption

Business /
19 hours ago