Draw down to 8,600 troops in Afghanistan, then zero

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 9, 2020
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Associated Press reported the initial draw down of U.S. forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 troops has begun. Defense Priorities Senior Fellow Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis, USA, Ret. issued the following statement in response:

“Today’s drawdown begins the implementation of the most important aspect of the recently signed U.S.-Taliban agreement: U.S. military withdrawal.

“Reducing U.S. combat forces to 8,600 within 135 days—a return to Obama-era levels—is one step in what should be a full withdrawal of all U.S. forces in Afghanistan within 14 months, if not sooner.

“Expect political turmoil, often expressed through violence, to continue in Afghanistan—but don’t confuse that country’s internal problems with U.S. security. The U.S. has sacrificed thousands of lives, tens of thousands wounded, and trillions of taxpayer dollars to give Afghans a chance for peace. Whether or not they seize this opportunity is up to them, not U.S. soldiers.”

Author

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert