Fresh off the announcement of a US military withdrawal from Syria, officials are saying that the Trump Administration is ordering a major drawdown of US troops from Afghanistan, potentially starting in the next few weeks. The Pentagon has been ordered to begin the planning immediately.
Details are still emerging on this discussion, but the recent struggles of the Afghan War have been very well publicized, and the Taliban’s negotiations with the US has centered on them wanting the US to withdraw under any peace deal.
With the August 2017 escalation in Afghanistan having gone poorly, there have been reports for months of the administration changing direction. The Pentagon had been pushing hard against a drawdown, however, trying to emphasize the large death tolls in Afghanistan as a sign of progress.
But the drawdown could be coming very soon, according to officials. They say that the first US troops could be returning home as soon as January. Though official troop levels aren’t well documented anymore, there are an estimated 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan. Roughly half of the troops, 7,000 of them, are said to be coming home.
The Christmas presents are arriving early.
F**k the F**king Pentagon. DO IT!!!! Rip the band-aid off, once and for all.
McChrystal is a snake, he must be fired.
….Out of a cannon, into the sun.
Not just a snake, a juvenile. That interview in Rolling Stone — all Obama was pissed off was the criticism of POTUS. But the rest of the interview, as well chat with his aides revealed a shallow person, surrounded by silly and nerdy types, dangerously thinking themselves important. I was stunned by the low caliber of people that are making such seriuos decisions. They to defend us? Heavens.
Sending you a big Christmas kiss, comrade.
Bring ***ALL*** the troops home!!
It just occurred to me that with Mad Dog gone there’s a job opening up. Do you have your resume updated? With a resume photo — something in chiffon would be nice. And if you get the job, I’d like a shot at the Pentagon Spokesperson position. We could so some serious MAGA.
As an anarchist, I would have to refuse the position on principle but I appreciate the nomination. It would be interesting to see how Rachel Maddow would respond to Trump nominating a butch tranny like me, though. Her head would probably explode Scanners-style.
“there’s a job opening up”
All joking aside about Comrade taking the job, the fact is, that just maybe, if we can somehow influence Trump, perhaps it could be filled by someone who is at least a little more skeptical of war than Mattis.
Trump had wanted out of both, back when he took office. He was talked into giving it one more try. Then, of course, it failed and they came back with the usual excuses and proposed to keep doing what hasn’t worked.
It looks like Trump blew up. Being volatile has it uses. Maybe he can’t do much, but he did that, and that seems to be what we needed. Call “Bullshit” on them, finally. It does not have to be any more sophisticated than that. It might be nicer to have some complex idea of what to do next, but at least screaming “bullshit” at them is going in the right direction.
May be he did blow up — but this time with justifiable indignation. All of fhem wanted to have free hands in Syria and Afghanistan. Remember how incensed the Hillywood was over the notion that generals be given free hand to do the job? Now, they have to show results. There are none. In Syria not even a clue other then winging it dreaming up Kurdish autonomy and US troups forever. The missions are as pointless as ever.
And oup politicians are complaining about us letting down out allies? In Syria, Saudis, UAE, Jordan — exited Syriian adventure long time ago. They are niw in the proces of making nice to Assad. Talking about him in media in pisitive light, calling him brave man — and Prince Charming catapulted our High Negotiating Committee on Syria, by yenking their funding. Once out — Turkey, Iran and Russia had no problem naming and aproving constitutional assambly, and now being ready – UN was caled in to schedule Geneva meeting. US has been screaming against Astana mertings or Sochi — stomping for Geneva. Niw that it is here — no cudos to the troika. Let us see what hapoens when De Mistura is replaced next year. All Gulf nations now accept Assad, and Turkey has confirmed support after he wins elections. So, who are these allies we are dissapointing. Neocon brethern accross the pond?
If this is true it is wonderful. But Obama started withdrawing US troops in 2011 and declared an end of US combat operations in 2014. Since 2015 both Trump and Obama have increased US forces. So I am waiting to see what happens.
Yup, a tweet is not an order. Staying hopeful tho.
He should sack the political generals while he is at it. They are just shills for the MIC.
The Pentagon Generals: “We have to save our phony baloney jobs!”
…..and future positions in the Complex.
This is what every other Republican candidate for President (except Rand Paul) was AGAINST, and this is why he beat them all out.
We’re 2+ years in. And nobody is home yet.
Given the fact that they are investigating everybidy associated with him, and that nobody gave him support — it is a sheer miracle that Koreas are moving forward. And he frankly had to cave in to the combined weight if experts of all kinds, including military. What if he did not give them time? Think of Sfghanistan when in September 2016 he authorized the mission in Afghanistan. Gave it two years. He announced his intent to end Syria mission, but was talked into various schemas — contain Iran, Hezzbollah, etc. Talk of staying forever. He heard them all — their arguments. And heard Erdogan — what this prolonged chaos means to Turkey. He heard from Jordan, and their desire to end the Syrian conflict. Jordan reopened embassy in Damascus, opened borders. Jirdan is in fear of Palestinians — snd Palestinisns fought for Assad. With over 50% Palestinian population, they want to make nice with Assad. Kuwait with 40%Shia population, mostly Iranians — wants to make nice with Assad. Bahrein with 80% Shia population on lickdown and Saudi tanks — is making huge waves in support of Damascus government, snd is eager to make nice. They are eyeing now the benefit in the form of opening political process with Shia, and settle the conflict that damaged the country. With a bonus — Saudis save money by pulling their military back from Bahrain. Iraq is openly working with Assad to control birder, and Iraq with Damascus understanding has entered Syria several times to eliminate ISIS groups.
Sudan presigent arrives to Damascus, everyone is guessing that it is a message from MbS. Everybody is looking forward, Turkey mad, Lebanon’s population supporting Hezzbollah more then ever. Israel the o only one trying to stir trouble — with not many takers.
So, I would like to have been fly on the wall when Trump asked his generals and policy wonks — and how did this mess happen? We are the knly one left holding the bag in Syria, and even Turkey is considering expelling us — as they reached the end of the rope.
So any explanations offered ither then the need to stay there so we can counter something — eventually?
Whatever you do, Donald, don’t go to Dallas.
So will we still be paying for the Xe/Blackwater mercenaries to continue guarding the CIA’s opium poppy fields, or will those be the focus of any troops that remain?
As Putin remarked (and to Madcow Rachel’s frantic joy), Trump has said this before. Wait and see.