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Obama weighing 'zero option' for US military in Afghanistan after 2014 Obama weighing 'zero option' for US military in Afghanistan after 2014
(2 months later)
The Obama administration may close down the US military presence in Afghanistan more abruptly than previously planned with a "zero option" being weighed for the country after 2014, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.The Obama administration may close down the US military presence in Afghanistan more abruptly than previously planned with a "zero option" being weighed for the country after 2014, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
President Barack Obama is considering removing all troops by the time that a previously stated deadline to recall combat personnel lapses at the end of next year, defense spokesman George Little confirmed in a news briefing. The administration had been in talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai to leave a "residual force" in the country beyond the 2014 pullout, mainly to assist in training and security matters.President Barack Obama is considering removing all troops by the time that a previously stated deadline to recall combat personnel lapses at the end of next year, defense spokesman George Little confirmed in a news briefing. The administration had been in talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai to leave a "residual force" in the country beyond the 2014 pullout, mainly to assist in training and security matters.
White House spokesman Jay Carney later confirmed that the so-called "zero option" is under consideration. The possibility of an accelerated drawdown process was first reported in the New York Times.White House spokesman Jay Carney later confirmed that the so-called "zero option" is under consideration. The possibility of an accelerated drawdown process was first reported in the New York Times.
Responding to questions over the possibility of no troops being left, Carney said: "It's of course an option."Responding to questions over the possibility of no troops being left, Carney said: "It's of course an option."
"Because the issue here is not the number of troops for their own sake. The issue is how do we best … implement our policy objectives?""Because the issue here is not the number of troops for their own sake. The issue is how do we best … implement our policy objectives?"
The Pentagon declined to comment on defense secretary Chuck Hagel's personal views over the so-called "zero option". Meanwhile, Carney dismissed the notion that it was growing too late in the day to make major new adjustments to the Afghanistan endgame.The Pentagon declined to comment on defense secretary Chuck Hagel's personal views over the so-called "zero option". Meanwhile, Carney dismissed the notion that it was growing too late in the day to make major new adjustments to the Afghanistan endgame.
"There's no decision that's imminent," Carney said. "We're 18 months from the end of 2014, and we are in the process of drawing down our forces already, and that process will continue … I think there's ample time.""There's no decision that's imminent," Carney said. "We're 18 months from the end of 2014, and we are in the process of drawing down our forces already, and that process will continue … I think there's ample time."
The White House said a residual force staying in Afghanistan into 2015 is also still an option.The White House said a residual force staying in Afghanistan into 2015 is also still an option.
The pace of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan is the subject of faltering negotiations between Washington and the Karzai government. The relationship between Washington and Kabul has been hit by issues including civilian casualties and the use of drones by the US military.The pace of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan is the subject of faltering negotiations between Washington and the Karzai government. The relationship between Washington and Kabul has been hit by issues including civilian casualties and the use of drones by the US military.
Karzai has also reacted angrily to US plans to meet with the Taliban for peace talks in June, accusing the US of duplicity.Karzai has also reacted angrily to US plans to meet with the Taliban for peace talks in June, accusing the US of duplicity.
Obama, meanwhile, has repeatedly pushed to accelerate the pullout from Afghanistan. In his state of the union address in February, the president announced that he would draw down the US presence from the current force of 63,000 troops to about 34,000 within one year.Obama, meanwhile, has repeatedly pushed to accelerate the pullout from Afghanistan. In his state of the union address in February, the president announced that he would draw down the US presence from the current force of 63,000 troops to about 34,000 within one year.
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