Reflecting a growing divide among Afghan officials on the comparative merits of the 13+ year long US military occupation of the country, the Afghan High Peace Council today was harshly critical of the US decision to halt its drawdown.
“This will certainly complicate the peace effort,” noted High Peace Council spokesman Shahzada Shahid, noting that the US military presence was a key grievance of the Taliban.
The decision of the US to halt the drawdown came at the behest of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who clearly believes he has a better chance of remaining in power as a US client backed up by 10,000 troops.
That may well be true, but it is also a recipe for extending the war with the Taliban, and preventing a power-sharing agreement that everyone seems to agree is the only way the conflict is ever going to actually end.
Don't you think the USG is well aware of the consequences of their staying?