Obama: US to leave 8,400 troops in Afghanistan

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill

President Obama on Wednesday announced he’s slowing the pace of the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Obama said he will leave 8,400 troops in war-torn country during an announcement in the Roosevelt Room alongside Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I strongly believe it is in our national security interest … that we give our Afghan partners the very best opportunity to succeed,” Obama said.

“Maintaining our forces as this specific level will allow us to continue to provide tailored support to help Afghan forces continue to improve.” There are currently 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a number previously set to be reduced to 5,500 next year.

-snip-

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/286638-us-to-leave-8400-troops-in-afghanistan

[MariaThinks]

1. that's too few

[anoNY42]

2. The end of the forever-war

has been postponed. Thanks Obama!

[stupidicus]

3. the empire and its interests must be guarded

[Javaman]

4. got to keep foot in the old game, don't we?

can't just leave and allow the Afghani's determine their own lives can we? I mean honestly how will the MIC make a buck?

[maxsolomon]

6. which Afghanis would that be?

the Pashtun determining which Tajik and Hazara live? we leave, the Taliban will re-assert control. it's that simple.

we can't leave and we can't stay.

[Javaman]

9. so the solution is to stay and keep killing.

only we know which are the right people to kill.

got it.

[maxsolomon]

10. did i say it was a "solution"?

your hyperbole isn't helping.

the only "solution" to Afghanistan is Partition. the Taliban get their Pashtun fiefdom around Kandahar, all the other ethnicities get to determine their own fates. Even if that means being annexed by Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, or Iran.

[Javaman]

11. I think you are confusing hyperbole with sarcasm. nt

[LanternWaste]

7. The unicorns and rainbows of an absolute and total exit of US forces is just waiting to happen.

The unicorns and rainbows of an absolute and total exit of US forces is just waiting to happen. Everyone will laugh and sing, and no women will be abused.

[Javaman]

8. I know it will never happen, but...

why is it up to us to determine the path for nation?

I guess, after all, we did invade it.

the more "joy" we spread around the world, we will only get goodness in return.

[uawchild]

5. The Deep State strikes again

Sometimes it seems that it is impossible for one man like the President to actually change foreign policy. The Deep State vested interests prevent it. The corporations, the military, the bureaucrats, the rich just won't let it happen.