Trump Orders Big Troop Reduction in Afghanistan (Total pullout in months)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | December 20, 2018 | Gordon Lubold and Jessica Donati

[2ndDivisionVet]

About half of the 14,000 U.S. forces will return home in the coming weeks, the start of a total pullout that could take at least many months

A day after a contested decision to pull American military forces from Syria, officials said Thursday that President Trump has ordered the start of a reduction of American forces in Afghanistan.

More than 7,000 American troops will begin to return home from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, a U.S. official said. The move will come as the first stage of a phased drawdown and the start of a conclusion to the 17-year war that officials say could take at least many months....

[Jotmo]

Wait......

I though a federal judge in Hawaii was the commander in chief...will he approve of this decision.

[DoughtyOne]

It seems to me we walk away from too many folks who have chosen to be on our side. Who would anyone in the future be stupid enough to.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Ping everybody.

[Vermont Lt]

The next best place is...you guessed it...North Korea.

Perhaps Trump is pulling out of Afghanistan to invest in NK. Ha Ha.

[Jotmo]

Also, notice that the timing of these pull outs from the region is just after the official announcement that america has finally achieved energy independence after 75 some odd years.

Hmmm

[Sequoyah101]

I have thought a similar thing this evening. The swamp making money has been the only logical reason we have stayed there for so long. It is easy toid and take out problems there. You don’t need to occupy the place. The only other reason to stay is so pootie won’t go there.

[laplata]

“I hope so. I’ve thought from the beginning, that he should do a weekly address to the nation via YouTube.

That would have gone a long way toward solidifying and even growing his base”.

I remember you advocating that a long time ago. It’s an excellent idea and it’s not too late to start.

[Jeff Chandler]

Just a few well placed warheads....

Reminds me of a story about a man who owned mule who was so stubborn it was useless. The man sold the mule to another man who immediately clobbered the mule over the head with a large club. The mule staggered, nearly falling to its knees.

The seller said, "I wouldn't have sold him to you if I had known you were going to kill him!"

The buyer said, "I'm just trying to get his attention."

[grey_whiskers]

Afghanistan grows poppies.

Poppies make heroin.

Heroin makes politicians rich and powerful.

[Jeff Chandler]

his predecessors have FUBAR'd the mission so badly,

Our elite political culture is too dysfunctional to wage a long term war. The Democrats eventually get in power and stab us in the back.

Witness Vietnam.

[Jeff Chandler]

Long term stays in Syria and Afghanistan are probably a bridge too far.

Wow. Well put.

[plain talk]

Who knows? At this rate Trump might bring home troops from Germany and other countries. He should do it and place them on the border. Trump should be Trump and make some bold moves.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Ever wonder why your trolling does not work on FR? Hover your mouse over a posters name. You are a noob but by all means keep posting. We are happy to see Soros cash go straight down the crapper.

[Truthoverpower]

I work from r big time Afghans
They Say even Kabul
Is a war zone

[Sequoyah101]

And having troops there does not stop it. It facilitates it.

[inchworm]

My guess is thhis will free up money to pay for wall

[elpadre]

Mr. President - you promised us you would not telegraph the troop movements to the enemy. You have now initiated a major attack by radical Islam on a weakened force. It is now a question of when and where. Please listen to your military advisors.

[Zhang Fei]

[Yup! No strategy, no warriors.]

---

I know you’re using “warrior” in the sense used by current era military guys, i.e. really hardcore soldiers. But actual warriors of the past would have had this settled a long time ago. Of course, the majority of Afghanistan’s Taliban or Taliban-supporting population would be lying as skeletons out in the open, and most of the rest would be refugees in Pakistan.

[BuddhaBrown]

"Perhaps Trump is pulling out of Afghanistan to invest in NK. Ha Ha"

Yes, he is - in the sense that he is investing in political cover to get away with pulling out of SK to some extent - which is what Kim wants before he'll de-nuke.

Pulling out of many wasteful deployments is strategic.

Pulling out of SK alone would be viewed as weak.

[rktman]

Wtf are you talking about.?