‍Starting a love affair is easy, getting out tough

‍Afghanistan: “We are coming very close to a decision. Stay the course”

‍“We are awaiting orders. In the meantime, carry on!”

‍

‍2016: Taliban gaining strength, ISIS now a threat

‍Honestly, throw the original Obama plan out!

‍

‍Close of 2011: 90,000 troops left

‍Close of 2012: 68,000 troops left

‍2013: Mission consists of training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces.

‍Spring 2013: Afghan forces fully responsible for security

‍February 2014:  34,000 troop ceiling met, then shrink the numbers to 1,000 by early 2017

‍December 31, 2014: NATO mission concludes

‍2015: 10,600 US troops in Afghanistan for NATO’s Resolute and US Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, but US forces doing both

‍2016:  Maintain 9,800 US troops and drawdown to 5,000 in 2017

‍

‍If you have been wading through these diaries of the Afghan War, you probably have noted that they are getting shorter and shorter. That reflected my growing frustration with this war. But, I press on.

‍

‍Lt. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., USA, was named to succeed Gen. John F. Campbell as commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

‍

‍Secretary of Defense Carter said on January 28, 2016, that US support for the Afghan military would last through 2017 and beyond, adding that the US is "in this for the long run." 

‍

‍Lt. Gen. John Nicholson said on January 28 that "we do need to think about an enduring commitment to the Afghans." He acknowledged the ISIS threat in Afghanistan, saying "trans-national terrorist organizations (are seeking to) establish sanctuary inside Afghanistan," including ISIS and al-Qaeda. ISIS announced the formation of a new so-called Caliphate in Khorasan - an ancient Islamic region encompassing parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and India - in January 2016. To complicate matters, the Taliban declared war against ISIS. 

‍

‍General Campbell told the House Armed Services Committee on February 2, 2016, that the US should maintain an American troop presence in Afghanistan for the next five years. He also criticized President Obama's plan to draw down to 5,500 troops by the end of 2016 from the 9,800 currently there. He said that would leave the US with "a very limited capability." Campbell said his intent was to retain the 9,800 through the end of the summer fighting season and to begin removing troops no later than October, if required by the current plan. He said, 

‍

‍"The United States must continue to show flexibility with our mission in 2016 and beyond … As the commander ... I’m assessing the ways that we ensure that 2016 is not a repeat of 2015 based on conditions and performance of Afghan security forces during this winter lull. I’m also reviewing how well those forces will likely perform in 2017 and the United States and coalition resources that are required for their continued development … To continue to build on the Afghan security forces...we'd have to make some adjustments to that number.”

‍

‍In June 2016, Secretary of Defense Carter announced that President Obama had approved a change to the Rules of Engagement (ROE) allowing US troops to accompany Afghan forces on offensive missions. Recall that, in 2014, the President announced that the US had ended its combat operations. We knew the US would fight against the terrorists. But now it looked like the US was acknowledging that training missions for the Afghans woild also take US forces into com bat.

‍

‍In June, President Obama decided to leave 8,400 troops in Afghanistan throughout 2016 and into 2017, instead of the previously planned 5,500. There were 9,800 there at the time. About one-third, or 2,150, of the 8,400 would be part of the counter-terrorism mission, while the others would advise and assist. US forces would remain at Bagram, north of Kabul, and in Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Helmand.

‍

‍2017: US not winning, Taliban surging, new strategy needed