According to the New York Times this morning, Obama will announce later today that he plans to keep a considerable troop presence in Afghanistan through the end of his term:
WASHINGTON — The United States will halt its military withdrawal from Afghanistan and instead keep thousands of troops in the country through the end of President Obama’s term in 2017, Mr. Obama will announce on Thursday, prolonging the American role in a war that has now stretched on for 14 years.
The current American force in Afghanistan of 9,800 troops will remain in place through most of 2016 under the Obama administration’s revised plans, before dropping to about 5,500 at the end of next year or in early 2017, senior administration officials said."
In recent weeks, the US has shown that it is worse than the Taliban when it comes to bombing hospitals and
sanctioning the rape of children. That should have been sign enough that it is far past time for the US to end this already 14-year-long war. Not to mention the lives lost and the money wasted. Obama is putting 5,500 soldiers' lives at risk for a war whose only purpose at this point seems to be to further enrich defense contractors. If 14 years can't create a stable "security force" in Afghanistan, another 14 years won't either.
As it's Thursday, though, I thought this was a perfect moment for some #ThrowbackThursday flashbacks.
Here's Obama in a televised address on May 1, 2012, in which he promised to withdraw US troops by the end of 2014:
[We've] begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security. Already, nearly half of the Afghan people live in places where Afghan security forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward.
As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more and more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.
....
As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it’s time to renew America -- an America where our children live free from fear and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.
And how about some more trips down memory lane?