Officials discussing the ongoing war in Afghanistan, now in its 12th year, issued several statements on the conflict today, expressing concern that as the usual summer fighting season winds down in Afghanistan even more major attacks are to be expected.
“We’re expecting a spike in violence,” confirmed Maj. Gen. James McConville. The major violence in Afghanistan right now is only part of the story though, as military officials try to lay the groundwork for a protracted deployment beyond the end of 2014.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commander in Afghanistan right now, insisted that the whole future of Afghanistan depended on keeping US troops in the nation in 2015 and beyond, saying that a deal with the Afghan government on a “sustained” presence would come soon.
Dunford deferred on the question of numbers, but he and other military leaders are seen advocating many more troops than President Obama had initially envisioned, with a 7,000 troop plan potentially being doubled or tripled.
Former NATO commander Admiral James Stavridis was more willing to go public with a number, however, saying he believes at least 15,000 troops were needed and that the US needs to make a commitment immediately.
Is this for real? Are we going to be debating "US troop presence" in 2025? 2035? 2049?
Will this ever come to an end? Reading this I get the feeling that it's not a priority to stop fighting. When will the violence stop? How many more people have to die?
this is NOT the type of commitment the US needs. It's like offering a gambler a contract with a casino… If you ask me, the US needs to commit to a peace treaty
I agree! If only there was a worldwide authority that could regulate and commit to this kind of treaties…
While I don't agree with the US policy on how to treat other countries and nations, it seems a bit unfair that when all the fuss about Crimea started, everyone was so flustered about how the US is not helpuing…After they complained that the US should mind its own business
yeah, I noticed that, too… the thing is, US doesn't want to upset Russia because it would be too much of a challenge.
US can't be all over the place defending innocent lives and spreading freedom! One at a time, people!
The US are not going to let this one go, and we should just understand that.
I think that people should be more caring with those around them, because what's happening here is terrible and it's mostly our fault for not stopping it
how can people like me or you stop it? I have no idea who you are, but chances for usa to make a difference are extremely small