President Obama has decided — following a strategy review — to maintain the current American force of 9,800 troops in Afghanistan through most of next year, and to leave a force of 5,500 U.S. troops in the country in 2017, when he leaves office. Why the change in plans? WSJ’s Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer.
US intelligence has seen a rise in ISIS in Afghanistan.
Obama say sanctuaries in Afghanistan must end.
U.S. forces will remain in Afghanistan at their current levels throughout much of 2016.
Some troops will rotate back into Afghanistan.
Today’s announcement reveals the second draw-down delay announced by Obama this year. In March, Obama said he planned to reduce U.S. forces in Afghanistan 5,500 U.S. military personnel by the end of this year, and then to an “embassy-only” presence by the end of 2016. Currently the delayed withdrawal means that 9,800 troops will remain in Afghanistan until about the end of Obama’s second term or most of 2016. The administration is still revealing plans to reduce troops to about 5,500 at the end of 2016 or early 2017.
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This presentation was broadcast live Thursday morning via The Washington Post … President Obama makes a statement about the decision to adjust troop withdrawals in Afghanistan on Oct. 15. 9,800 troops will remain through 2016.
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