Lingering Military Presence: Examining The Number Of Active Troops In Afghanistan

The number of active troops in Afghanistan has varied over the years, with the U.S. military having about 100,000 troops in the country at the height of the war. In 2017, under the Trump administration, there were 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, which later increased to 14,000. In 2020, the Trump administration agreed to reduce U.S. forces in Afghanistan to 8,600, and by January 2021, there were 2,500 U.S. soldiers remaining.

In April 2021, President Biden announced his intention to withdraw all regular U.S. troops by September 11, 2021, marking the end of the 20-year war. The U.S. military's withdrawal was considered complete in July 2021, with roughly 600 troops remaining, primarily providing security at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was a controversial decision that received both criticism and support from various political figures and the American public. While some saw it as a necessary step towards ending a prolonged war, others criticized the execution of the withdrawal and expressed concerns about the potential consequences, including the rise of the Taliban and the use of Afghanistan as a safe haven for terrorists.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed on 30 August 2021

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan had a devastating impact on the country. Shortly after the last US troops left, the Afghan government collapsed, and the Taliban regained control of the country. This led to a refugee crisis as many Afghans fled the country, fearing persecution and human rights abuses under the Taliban regime.

The US decision to withdraw was influenced by the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban, which set a deadline for the withdrawal of US troops. However, the Biden administration faced criticism for the chaotic nature of the evacuation and the lack of preparation for the Taliban's rapid advance.

The withdrawal also had significant implications for US foreign policy. It raised concerns about the use of Afghanistan as a safe haven for terrorists and sparked debates about the role of the US in the region. Additionally, the US faced challenges in evacuating all Americans and Afghan allies, leaving thousands of people stranded in the country.

The completion of the US withdrawal on 30 August 2021 marked a significant turning point in Afghanistan's history, with the country once again under Taliban rule. The international community is now grappling with the question of how to respond to the humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan without empowering the Taliban further.

The US military had about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan at the war's peak

The US military's presence in Afghanistan began in October 2001, less than a month after the 9/11 attacks. The initial mission was to destroy terrorist training camps, capture Osama bin Laden and other terrorists associated with al-Qaeda, and prevent Afghanistan from remaining a safe haven for terrorist organisations.

The number of US troops in Afghanistan spiralled to 100,000 at the peak of the war in 2010, marking the highest number of troops present in the country. The troops were supported by US air strikes and ranged in size from small squad-sized checkpoints to city-sized installations, such as Bagram Air Base. The base in Bagram included amenities such as Burger Kings, Pizza Huts, movie theatres, swimming pools, Afghan souvenir shops, Harley Davidson dealerships, and regular lobster and steak dinners.

In May 2011, US special forces killed Osama bin Laden in a raid in Pakistan. Following this, President Obama announced a withdrawal of more than 30,000 troops by the summer of 2012. The number of troops continued to decline, with 9,800 troops remaining in March 2015. In February 2020, the Trump administration and the Taliban signed the United States-Taliban deal, which stipulated fighting restrictions for both sides and provided for the withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan. The deal triggered the collapse of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) as the US reduced the number of air attacks on the Taliban.

In April 2021, President Biden announced that the US would withdraw all troops by September 2021. The last US military planes left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the war that began in 2001.

The US still has a military presence near Afghanistan

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the 20-year war that began in 2001. However, the US still maintains a military presence near Afghanistan, and its involvement in the region continues.

Even before the withdrawal, the US had a long history of maintaining military bases in the Middle East, beginning in 1979 after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In the broader Middle East region, the US has dozens of bases across several countries, including Turkey, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Djibouti, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, and Syria. These bases played a key role in the US war in Afghanistan and continue to be strategically important.

In Qatar, the US Air Force's regional air operations center launched recent bombing raids into Afghanistan. Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Middle East headquarters, with over 4,500 sailors based there. The US Army has a large presence in Kuwait with 11 base sites, established during the 1991 Gulf War.

Additionally, the US explored creating new military facilities in Central Asian countries neighboring Afghanistan, indicating its intention to maintain a military presence in the region.

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan does not signify a complete end to US military involvement in the country or the region. The Biden administration has stated that the US will continue to provide diplomatic support and work with allies and partners to coordinate engagement with Afghanistan. The US also remains committed to counterterrorism efforts and providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.

The US military presence near Afghanistan is part of a broader global military footprint. As of July 2021, the US had approximately 750 bases in at least 80 countries worldwide, with Japan, Germany, and South Korea hosting the highest number of US troops overseas. The US military spending is also significant, with a budget of $778 billion in 2020, making it the largest military spender in the world.

The Biden administration received criticism for its handling of the situation

The Biden administration received criticism from both sides of the aisle for its handling of the situation in Afghanistan. While most agreed with the decision to remove troops, critics attacked Biden's failure to help the thousands of Afghans who assisted US forces over the 20-year war effort exit the country before the Taliban took over, and the scramble to evacuate Americans from the country.

In August 2021, the United States withdrew the last of its troops from Afghanistan, ending its military presence there after nearly 20 years. The exit from Afghanistan resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the country and created a refugee crisis as many Afghans fled.

In the aftermath of the withdrawal, Biden defended his administration's decision to continue with the US military drawdown in Afghanistan, blaming the US-backed Afghan government and military for allowing the Taliban to take over. Biden stated that he stood "squarely behind" his decision and argued that he was faced with a choice to either follow through with the drawdown or escalate the conflict.

However, Biden's handling of the situation was criticised by both Republicans and Democrats. Republicans excoriated the White House's strategy, while Democrats criticised the haphazard manner of the US withdrawal. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called the exit from Afghanistan a "shameful failure of American leadership".

Biden was also criticised for breaking his promise to evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan. In his August 31 speech on ending the 20-year war in Afghanistan, Biden said that the vast majority of Americans who wanted to get out had already been evacuated, with about "100 to 200 Americans" who intend to leave still in the country. However, the White House later put the figure at 100 to 200, while one Republican lawmaker suggested the figure was much higher.

In addition, Biden was criticised for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan before evacuating all Americans and Afghan allies. In his August 18 interview with ABC News, Biden said that US troops would stay beyond August 31 if necessary. However, the last US soldier departed the country before all Americans who wanted to leave were evacuated.

The Biden administration also faced criticism for staying at Camp David during the evacuation process. As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Biden chose to stay at the presidential retreat as criticism mounted.

The Taliban controls 188 of Afghanistan's 407 districts

The Taliban's control of 188 of Afghanistan's 407 districts is a testament to their effective strategy and the challenges faced by the Afghan government and security forces. This control was achieved through a combination of rural influence, military gains, and local support.

The Taliban has long recognised the strategic importance of rural areas, leveraging them as springboards to launch attacks on urban centres. By controlling or contesting 45% of Afghanistan's districts, the Taliban has been able to exert influence and pressure on population centres. This has allowed them to adopt an "outside-in" strategy, chipping away at government control and consolidating their power.

The Taliban's gains have been significant, particularly in the north. They have seized key districts, threatening multiple provincial capitals and even briefly capturing the city of Kunduz. The Taliban's success can be attributed to a multi-pronged approach. They have effectively leveraged their rural strongholds, utilised sympathetic tribal leaders, and capitalised on low morale and poor leadership within the Afghan security forces, who have often surrendered without a fight.

The Taliban's control of districts has provided them with a platform to recruit fighters, establish training camps, and generate resources. This has further bolstered their military capabilities, enabling them to launch assaults on key districts and provincial capitals.

The Afghan government, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain control. They have adopted a strategy of abandoning rural districts to focus on key areas, but this has played into the Taliban's hands. The government has also faced challenges due to the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, losing vital assistance in logistics, air support, and intelligence.

The situation has led to a stalemate, with the government controlling Kabul, provincial capitals, and major population centres, while the Taliban commands a significant portion of the country. This division has resulted in a fiercely contested nation, with warring factions pursuing their objectives through both negotiations and military means.

The Taliban's growing control has had international ramifications. It has raised concerns about Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda, and has impacted regional dynamics, particularly with neighbouring Pakistan. The Taliban's success has also created a humanitarian crisis, with rising hunger, poverty, and a deteriorating economic situation affecting millions.

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