Former General John Allen has called the Obama Administration to release number of American troops for post-2014 deployment in Afghanistan. In a report co-authored by the former General, it has been said that besides a temporary bridging force, additional long-term US military presence is needed.
He says a public commitment to Afghanistan will create the needed stability as well as strong message of support to locals. He added that the success of the Afghan Government and the military will rely on knowing the size and scope of the remaining US troops. "On the 1st of January 2015, insurgency will still be prevalent in Afghanistan. There are going to be places where the Taliban still holds sway," he said.
Other military commanders from those on ground in Afghanistan to the leadership in Pentagon have been emphasizing on a larger number of force for Afghanistan beyond 2014, while the Obama Administration has not been clear on this issue yet.
President Karzai has been talking in public about it for several times. We believe the issue on number and status of the US military bases after withdrawal should be left to the next government and parliament to be elected in 2014. A government in its last year with increasing unpopularity and undecided strategy of talks with Taliban has not the credibility and popular legitimacy to decide on the matter. Therefore the issue should be left for the next government.
The Obama Administration has yet to come with a clear number of troops to stay in Afghanistan. Washington media leaks indicate that the Obama Administration wants as low as 3000 troops, while American military commanders from Afghanistan and the leadership in Pentagon have proposed between 9000 to 15000 troops. With the 3000 figure, how can a sophisticated counterterrorism mission be conducted? When Special Forces will depend on aerial drone strikes against precise militant hideouts, it cannot be carried with sufficient ground support on logistics and intelligence.
How can they conduct any training programs for ANSF with 3000 troops remaining after 2014? These questions remain unanswered. It is an inadequate number to support counterterrorism operations and substantive training of the Afghan National Security Forces. Such a force would hardly protect itself if insurgency gets deadlier with their continued safe havens across the border in Pakistan. With 3000 figure, the Obama Administration is probably thinking to only focus on counterterrorism operations, but without persistent training for ANSF, they would not be sustainable.