Across US government, views remain divergent on Afghan militaryâs readiness for US troop withdrawal
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Aerial porters work with maintainers to load a CH-47 Chinook into a C-17 Globemaster III during the drawdown of troops and equipment in Afghanistan, June 16, 2021. The U.S. has completed more than 90% of its withdrawal from the country, a U.S. Central Command statement said July 6, 2021. (Corey Vandiver/U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON â President Joe Bidenâs decision to pull U.S. forces out of Afghanistan means placing a heavy burden on the shoulders of Afghan security forces. In a speech Thursday, Biden expressed confidence in the Afghan military to face a resurgent Taliban â a view that remains contested within the executive branch.
Views remain divergent on Afghan military s readiness for U S troop withdrawal
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May 26, 2021
The Biden administration is committed to withdrawing all remaining U.S. armed forces and contractors from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, a process that began in late April. Many Democrats and Republicans have praised the move for “ending” the 20-year war in Afghanistan. But the removal of personnel only signals that the United States is taking its military options off the table, the best source of leverage in the peace process; this action will not bring about an end to Afghanistan’s ongoing violence or the involvement of other states in the conflict. In fact, violence is escalating, and U.S. interests are still at play. A mismanaged withdrawal risks a return to civil war, the empowerment of terrorist groups, a renewed refugee crisis, and severe political consequences for the United States. Without ongoing international support to the Afghan security forces, other terrorist groups, neighboring states such as Pakistan and Iran, and emerging citizen self-d
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