The House on Tuesday passed a $741 billion defense policy bill that wouldtake steps to slow or block US President Trump’s planned drawdown ofAmerican troops from Germany and Afghanistan.
The bill contains a provision that would require the Trump administrationto submit a comprehensive, interagency report and certification prior toobligating or expending funds to draw down US military personnel inAfghanistan “below troop levels of 8,000 and 4,000.”
The US Senate retumed with an amendment that would adjust the troop levelthresholds, modify certain reporting requirements, and adjust the waiveravailable to the Secretary of Defense.
“The conferees reaffirm that it is in the national security interests ofthe US to deny terrorists safe haven in Afghanistan, protect the UnitedStates homeland, uphold the United States partnership with the Governmentof Afghanistan, and protect the hard-fought gains for the rights of women,girls, and other vulnerable populations in Afghanistan,” according to theUS bill.
It also said that the conferees note the South Asia strategy emphasizes theimportance of a conditions-based United States presence in Afghanistan insupport of ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful, negotiatedsolution to the conflict.
It’s also further note that any decision to reduce the armed forces of theUnited States in Afghanistan should be done in an orderly manner and incoordination with United States allies and partners and the Government ofAfghanistan.
“Additionally, prior to withdrawal, the United States should seek to securethe release of any United States citizens being held against their will inAfghanistan,” it said adding that “The Administration has a constitutionalobligation to provide the Congress and the American people with regular,timely, and comprehensive information on the status of security operationsand diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan and across the globe.
“Today the House sent a strong, bipartisan message to the American people:Our service members and our national security are more important thanpolitics,” Democratic Representative Adam Smith, chairman of the HouseArmed Services Committee, said in a statement.
A week ago, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff,told the Brookings Institution’s Michael O’Hanlon said that “We believethat now after 20 years — two decades of consistent effort there — we’veachieved a modicum of success.”
“We went to Afghanistan … to ensure that Afghanistan never again became aplatform for terrorists to strike the United States,” he said.
Milley also said that US troops will continue training Afghan and Iraqicombat forces after the partial US withdrawals from those nations orderedby President Donald Trump last month.
Trump ordered the new drawdowns to be completed by Jan. 15, five daysbefore he leaves office.The moves will leave about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.However, he declined to provide many details about the US withdrawal plansfor Afghanistan, citing security concerns.
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