“Those have been broad discussions, deep discussions, ones that have included the president’s personal engagement and a number of very detailed questions from the president about our posture”, a USA official was quoted as saying by Reuters. But, he added, “I believe this mission is vital to our national security interests in preventing terrorist attacks against our citizens and our nation”.
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Obama said he has spoken with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Dr Abdullah Abdullah on his latest decision, which, he argued is the best possible one for lasting progress in Afghanistan.
“I think we’re on the right path and, look, we’re in the final stages of our involvement in Afghanistan, it’s important that it comes to a successful conclusion”, Gibson said.
In response to the announcement that USA troops will remain in Afghanistan, Lancaster County’s congressional representatives both expressed the need for Washington to listen to military leaders in the prolonged war.
A few weeks ago, the Taliban took the city of Kunduz, and Robinette said he does not want Afghanistan to look the way northern Iraq does today.
The president had made withdrawal a core campaign pledge but recent dramatic Taliban gains, including the brief capture of the major city of Kunduz, has jolted confidence that Afghan government forces can hold their own against the rebels.
Last week, during a meeting of defense ministers, Carter urged allies to remain flexible and consider abandoning their earlier timelines to cut troop levels.
India is also concerned about Pakistan moving to reoccupy space left behind by United States pullout, as it did post 1989, turning Afghanistan into a hub for terrorists from all over the world.
The post-2016 force would still be focused on training and advising the Afghan army, with a special emphasis on its elite counterterror forces. Plus the Islamic State group has emerged as a new threat in Afghanistan.
The USA originally planned to withdraw all but a small embassy-based force of 1,000 troops by the end of 2016. The American forces will be based in Kabul and at Bagram Air Field, as well as bases in Jalalabad and Kandahar. When she heard about the president’s plan, she wasn’t sure how to feel.
Obama agreed to keep all 9,800 troops in place throughout this year.
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Speaking at the White House, he said the U.S. would keep 5,500 troops in the country when he leaves office in 2017. The administration estimates that the plan will cost $14.6 billion a year.
