KABUL-led combat mission ends.
According to CNN, ex-ISAF commander Gen. John Allen told the Aspen Security Forum Afghan leaders realised their security forces were not fully trained and needed US support beyond next year.
Afghan leaders desperately wanted an American presence even after an end to the combat mission, insisted Allen, who went on to explain: “They don’t want us in large numbers, but they want us there in enough numbers to help to continue to develop the ANSF.”
While heading the NATO-led force, he was never asked to ponder a “zero option”, the then general said, adding the choice had come into play due to the tense US relationship with President Hamid Karzai.
Former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, warned talk of a zero option sent the wrong vibes to the Taliban — they could eventually come back to power after the pullout of all US soldiers from Afghanistan.
Haqqani referred to the perception around the world that Americans do not lose wars, they lose interest. “Telling them the date of when you are leaving tells them how long they have to wait,” he remarked.
PAN Monitor/mud
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