Tag: Barack Obama

US aims to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by end of 2016

President Barack Obama announces his plan to end major combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2016 at the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday. Obama's three harshest foreign policy critics — Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Linsey Graham of South Caroline and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire — said in a joint statement that the decision is a monumental mistake and a triumph of politics over strategy. (Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press)
President Barack Obama announced his plan to end major combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2016 on Tuesday. Obama’s three harshest foreign policy critics — Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire — said in a joint statement that the decision is a mistake and a triumph of politics over strategy. (Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press)

JULIE PACE
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Charting an end to America’s longest war, President Barack Obama announced plans Tuesday for keeping nearly 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan after this year but then withdrawing virtually all by the close of 2016 and the conclusion of his presidency.

The drawdown would allow Obama to bring America’s military engagement in Afghanistan to an end while seeking to protect the gains made in a war in which he significantly intensified U.S. involvement.

“We have to recognize that Afghanistan will not be a perfect place, and it is not America’s responsibility to make it one,” Obama declared in the White House Rose Garden. Continue reading US aims to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by end of 2016