21. The Taliban Resurgent: Threats to Afghanistan's security
- Author:
- Lauren McNally and Paul Bucala
- Publication Date:
- 03-2015
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Institute for the Study of War
- Abstract:
- The success or failure of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan has reached a critical juncture. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced on February 21, 2015 that the United States is considering a number of changes to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, including slowing the drawdown timetable and rethinking the U.S. counter-terrorism mission. On March 16, 2015, anonymous U.S. officials confirmed that the United States is likely abandoning its plans to cut the number of U.S. troops to 5,500 at the end of the year. The United States could allow many of the 9,800 troops in Afghanistan to remain beyond 2015. A visit by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Washington, DC from March 22-25, 2015 is intended to discuss these issues.
- Topic:
- Civil War and International Security
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan