General John Nicholson, the top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, said Thursday that he is short “a few thousand” troops to assist and train Afghan forces in their war against the Taliban.
“I have adequate resources in my counterterrorism mission,” Nicholson told the Senate Armed Service Committee. “In my train, advise and assist mission, however, we have a shortfall of a few thousand. This is in the NATO train, advise and assist mission, so it can come from America or its allies.”
The Hill reports that Nicholson requested an additional investment in the Afghan air force to help break the “stalemate” in Afghanistan.
Approximately 12,500 NATO troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, 8,400 of whom are American.
Sen. John McCain, a vocal critic of the Obama-era troop levels in Afghanistan, expressed support for Nicholson’s requests. The Washington Examiner reports McCain sees the current circumstance in Afghanistan as an “opportunity” for the Trump Administration:
