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US to keep special forces in Afghanistan even after pullout
The United States proposes to maintain its Special Operations forces in Afghanistan even after it withdraws its combat forces by the end of 2014.
Citing Pentagon officials, the New York Times reported on Sunday that under the emerging plan, thousands of Special Ops forces would remain, while the conventional forces leave the country when the NATO engagement as a whole ends in 2014. “The evolving strategy is far different from the withdrawal plan for Iraq, where almost all American forces, conventional or otherwise, have left,” the report noted, pointing to how Iraq has slipped into sectarian violence after the US completed its withdrawal in December. Washington apparently wants to prevent a similar denouement in Afghanistan, where the dangers would appear real even as the reconciliation talks with the Taliban have spawned considerable criticism.
A modified approach for Afghanistan could give President Obama a political shield against attacks from Republicans, who have begun criticising him for moving too fast with his withdrawal plan for Afghanistan, The Times noted.
With Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his senior aides willing to continue a partnership with the US that includes counterterrorism missions and training, unlike the Iraqi leadership, US officials believe that the Special Ops forces can continue for key counter-terrorism mission in that country. The US has about 90,000 troops in Afghanistan, with 22,000 of them expected to leave by September this year. The withdrawal schedule for the next phase in 2013 has still not been announced.
The United States proposes to maintain its Special Operations forces in Afghanistan even after it withdraws its combat forces by the end of 2014.
Citing Pentagon officials, the New York Times reported on Sunday that under the emerging plan, thousands of Special Ops forces would remain, while the conventional forces leave the country when the NATO engagement as a whole ends in 2014. “The evolving strategy is far different from the withdrawal plan for Iraq, where almost all American forces, conventional or otherwise, have left,” the report noted, pointing to how Iraq has slipped into sectarian violence after the US completed its withdrawal in December. Washington apparently wants to prevent a similar denouement in Afghanistan, where the dangers would appear real even as the reconciliation talks with the Taliban have spawned considerable criticism.
A modified approach for Afghanistan could give President Obama a political shield against attacks from Republicans, who have begun criticising him for moving too fast with his withdrawal plan for Afghanistan, The Times noted.
With Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his senior aides willing to continue a partnership with the US that includes counterterrorism missions and training, unlike the Iraqi leadership, US officials believe that the Special Ops forces can continue for key counter-terrorism mission in that country. The US has about 90,000 troops in Afghanistan, with 22,000 of them expected to leave by September this year. The withdrawal schedule for the next phase in 2013 has still not been announced.
