WASHINGTON
Defense officials had few solid answers Wednesday as frustrated lawmakers sought details on how the United States will keep the terrorist threat from reemerging in Afghanistan after American and coalition troops leave later this year.
Under persistent questions from members of the House Armed Services Committee, the officials said discussions and negotiations are continuing on almost every aspect of the pullout: the post-withdrawal security of Afghanistan, the training of Afghan troops, intelligence collection, protections for Afghans who have helped coalition troops, and the potential for a U.S. diplomatic presence in the nation.
The testimony from David Helvey, acting assistant defense secretary for the Indo-Pacific, and Brig. Gen. Matthew Trollinger, deputy director for political and military affairs on the Joint Staff, laid bare the lack of solutions so far on how the Biden administration will monitor and possibly fight threats in Afghanistan from “over the ho
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By JENNIFER JACOBS | Bloomberg | Published: May 12, 2021 The Biden administration is debating how to get thousands of Afghans who worked for the U.S. out of the country before American forces withdraw in a few months, amid fears that time is running out ahead of a potential Taliban takeover. White House national security aides have held several meetings about the issue in recent days to trade ideas, discussing options including a mass evacuation of thousands of people to a third country where they could be processed and brought to the U.S. The biggest concern for U.S. officials is that Afghan citizens who played an invaluable role serving American forces and contractors such as translators, consultants, office assistants and drivers would be quickly targeted by Taliban forces, especially if they continue to gain ground on President Ashraf Ghani s government in Kabul.
By SARAH CAMMARATA | STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 12, 2021 WASHINGTON House lawmakers on Wednesday called for an immediate increase in the amount of special immigrant visas available for thousands of Afghan interpreters and translators who aided American forces and are now scrambling to escape their country in the midst of the U.S. drawdown. But lawmakers also said they were uncertain whether they could take the needed action ahead of the annual defense bill that is typically used to boost the number of visas that can be issued. During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, lawmakers grilled Defense Department officials David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific affairs, and Brig. Gen. Matthew Trollinger, the Joint Staff’s deputy director for politico-military affairs, on how the Pentagon is working with the State Department and other agencies to help Afghans who are waiting for a visa that would offer safe passage to the United State