President Trump intends to get as close as possible to his campaign promise to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, drawing down troops in each country to just 2,500 by the end of his tenure, according to a report.
The Pentagon has issued a “warning order” to field commanders, according to CNN, alerting them to prepare for a quick drawdown order from the White House.
Currently, Afghanistan has 4,500 troops, and Iraq has some 3,000 troops. In both countries, American soldiers are training domestic militaries and partnering in counterterrorism operations.
“It’s always been President Trump’s objective to draw down these involvements in other countries,” retired Lt. Col. Dakota Wood, a security analyst at the Heritage Foundation, told the Washington Examiner.
“His argument is, ‘We’ve been there long enough, it’s time to bring everybody home,’” he said. “The counter to that is there’s still stuff going on in Afghanistan.”
The United States and the Taliban signed a peace treaty on Feb. 29 that called for a reduction in violence that has not materialized. In the intervening months, the Taliban has mercilessly attacked Afghan government forces while sparing U.S. and coalition service members, in accordance with the agreement.
Wood said the original reason to enter Afghanistan to prevent another 9/11-style terrorist attack has been largely achieved.
“But then, you know, things evolve,” he said. “Does Afghanistan continue to be a sanctuary for terrorist groups to organize and plan and train and those sorts of things?”
In Iraq, the drawdown puts more pressure on the Iraqi military to take over the terrorist fight, including battling back Iranian-supported militias that have been deadly to U.S. interests.
“It’s mission-oriented,” Wood said of the new troop level and what the president may have in mind.
“It could be symbolic. It could be a political statement and making good on a campaign promise. I mean, these could be factors that are driving that decision,” he added.
Following the firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper last week, Trump installed a series of loyalists who have the duty of carrying out Trump’s remaining promise to end the wars, according to a White House insider.
“He wants to bring the troops home. He wants to end the wars,” the insider said.
