US To Extend Military Role In Afghanistan

Obama’s goal of ending the wars he inherited had already been tarnished by the return of US forces to Iraq last year, 2½ years after they left.

Earnest’s remarks came after U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday that he would keep 9,800 USA troops in Afghanistan through next year.

Mr Obama had previously aimed to withdraw all but a small US-embassy based force in the capital, Kabul, before he leaves office in January 2017.

The president has succeeded in vastly reducing the USA military presence in both countries, but the United States has returned a modest force to Iraq to help Baghdad in its fight against the Islamic State.

She added that advancing the peace process was likely a “main driving factor” behind the decision to bolster the U.S.’s longer-term troop presence in Afghanistan.

“The United Kingdom is committed to promoting Afghanistan’s stability and prosperity through our financial, political and military assistance, which includes contributing to the development of future Afghan leaders at the officer academy in Kabul and delivering a vital role for Nato’s Resolute Support Mission headquarters”.

“Keeping 5,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan with a training and direct action mission may prevent the country from deteriorating as quickly as Iraq did after the USA withdrawal in 2011”, said Seth Jones, an Afghanistan specialist at the RAND Corp.

The victor of the 2016 election will be the third commander in chief to oversee the Afghanistan war, which has killed more than 2,230 USA service members and cost more than $1 trillion. It has since been retaken by Afghan forces.

While officials said the Afghan policy had been under review for several months, Obama’s decision to leave more forces in Afghanistan than initially envisioned was reinforced when Taliban fighters took control of the key northern city of Kunduz late last month, prompting a protracted battle with Afghan forces on the ground, supported by USA airstrikes.

Obama announced the end of the Afghan war with similar fanfare last spring, saying it was time for the U.S.to “turn the page” on more than a decade of deadly conflicts. What they still need from the U.S.is more high-end training, advising and mentoring as they attempt to tie together all elements of military operations, including the use of intelligence, against the Taliban.

On Thursday, Democratic candidates were silent about the president’s decision, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, who served as Obama’s secretary of state.

Afghan forces, who took over from worldwide troops after North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ended most combat operations past year, have struggled to contain the spreading insurgency and remain dependent on allies for air and logistical support.

“But the Taliban now is the ones who are putting pressure back on because they’re seeing a time of a few weakness in the area”, said Stephen Robinette, the Associate Vice President for global Programs at Missouri State University.

According to officials, commanders will decide the pace of the decreasing of numbers.

Former technology executive Carly Fiorina called Obama’s decision a “recognition of reality” in Afghanistan. The White House says the fault lies with an Iraqi government that marginalized minority Sunnis. “It’s the right thing to do”.

But while Republicans were pleased, the decision to keep a significant force in Afghanistan represents a major setback for Obama.

Obama’s meeting with Ghani set off a monthslong re-evaluation of the USA role in Afghanistan.

Defence Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged on Wednesday that the USA was not leaving Afghanistan.