Washington: Even as the Pentagon is proceeding with its planned reduction of troop strength to 8,600 troops in Afghanistan by July, the situation will be “reassessed” with possible additional deployments if the Taliban does not stop attacking Afghan forces, a nominee to help lead Defence Department policy told US lawmakers on May 7.
James Anderson, the nominee to be the deputy under secretary of defense for policy, told the Senate Armed Services Committee the Taliban has refrained from attacking US troops and major urban centres, but the group has been “robustly” targeting Afghan forces at an “unfortunate level.”
The agreement between the US and Taliban announced on February 29 lays the groundwork for a possible end to the 19-year-old war with American forces dropping from 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days toward a possible full withdrawal if the Taliban holds up its end of the agreement.
“We’re going to reassess all the conditions going forward,” Anderson said. “I would hope that the deal would not collapse. [The Taliban] have shown a commitment to at least part of it so far. And hopefully they will honour the remaining portions. If they don’t, then we’ll reassess and we’ll do what we need to do.”
In the meantime, US forces are continuing to strike Taliban targets to defend Afghan forces “when they are attacked, inconsistent with the agreement,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. The US-led mission and Air Forces Central Command have stopped providing public reporting on these efforts.
“We remain committed to our Afghan partners,” Anderson said. “They have paid a heavy price … They have in fact been doing most of the fighting since 2015 and we have been supporting them in our training, advise, and assist role. So, it is my view that going forward in Afghanistan, we absolutely need to continue to maintain a level of commitment in terms of our assistance to them so that they can continue to help defend their country.”
Anderson, whose current position is the assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities, has been performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for policy since John Rood was removed from the position in February. President Donald Trump will reportedly nominate retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to take Rood’s position permanently.
Anderson appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee alongside USAF Gen. C.Q. Brown, the nominee to be the next Air Force Chief of Staff, and Kenneth Braithwaite, the nominee to be the next Secretary of the Navy.
