President Biden Advised to Keep Troops in Afghanistan
Since taking office, President Joe Biden has been in a difficult position when it comes to making policy decisions regarding the US military presence in Afghanistan. With pressure coming from many sides of the issue, determining the best course of action to take has been a daunting task. On one hand, many support the idea of rapidly removing US troops from the country and ending America’s longest war. On the other hand, some members of Biden’s administration and military brass are urging the President to keep troops in Afghanistan – at least for the time being. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why President Biden should consider keeping a continual presence of US troops in Afghanistan.
What Is the Current US Military Presence in Afghanistan?
According to the Department of Defense, roughly 2,500 US troops are currently stationed in Afghanistan to assist Afghan security forces and conduct counterterrorism operations. This follows a series of drawdown decisions going back to the Obama administration that began reducing the US military presence in Afghanistan to its current number.
In May 2021, President Biden declared the US would begin the process of fully withdrawing troops in the country, according to its agreement with the Taliban. This decision garnered praise from those in favor of reducing US involvement in Afghanistan, but it has caused concern among many who believe that the US presence in Afghanistan should be sustained.
The Case for Keeping US Troops in Afghanistan
Despite the fact that the US has been engaged in Afghanistan for over two decades, some of Biden’s administration and military brass are advocating for the President to keep a continual presence in the country. Here are some of the reasons why the Biden administration should consider keeping US troops in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future.
Support for the Afghan Security Forces
Recent reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) indicate that despite the US’s current drawdown process, Afghan forces are still struggling to contain insurgents within the country. In order to stabilize Afghanistan and allow the government to take full control of security within its borders, US troops must remain in order to offer training and operational support.
Counterterrorism Efforts
Counterterrorism has been a significant part of the US’s mission in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001. Despite the planned troop withdrawal, the US cannot risk allowing the Taliban or al-Qaida to gain ground in the country. Leaving US troops in Afghanistan helps to ensure that terrorist groups don’t find a foothold in the region.
Regional Stability
The government of Afghanistan is not the only one with a stake in the country. Neighbors such as Pakistan and Iran also have vested interests in the country’s future, and a power vacuum in Afghanistan could lead to an increased risk of instabilities in the region. Keeping US troops in Afghanistan gives the Biden administration the ability to monitor these dynamics and prevent any adverse outcomes.
The Risks of Withdrawing US Troops
The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan carries with it several risks. In addition to the security threats posed by Taliban and al-Qaida forces, the removal of US troops could lead to a power vacuum in which other countries fill the gap with their own interests in mind. This could have an even wider destabilizing effect on the region.
Other Implications
In addition to the geopolitical and security risks of withdrawing US troops, there are other implications as well. The US has invested large sums of money towards the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan over the last two decades. If the government collapses, this progress could be undone and much of the US’s investments will have been wasted.
It is evident that President Biden should keep a continual presence of US troops in Afghanistan. This can not only ensure the stability of the region, but also help to keep al-Qaida and Taliban forces contained, bolster Afghan security forces, and protect the US’s investments in the country. Developing a new strategy for Afghanistan will take time and input from all sides, and the presence of US troops can help to buy time for the Biden administration to properly assess the security situation.
