Trump administration officials are at odds over whether to expand the CIA’s presence in Afghanistan if the United States begins decreasing its remaining forces in the country.
Senior White House officials want the intelligence agency to play a bigger role if there is a withdrawal, but officials from the CIA and the military disagree, the New York Times reported Monday.
Officials supportive of the plan, which would rely on CIA-supported militias, believe it could prevent the resurgence of terrorist groups. The militias have been used to fight terrorist and insurgent cells across the country throughout the nearly 18-year war.
CIA Director Gina Haspel has reportedly expressed her skepticism about the proposal to other administration officials, saying the agency depends on the military for airstrikes, surveillance, medical support, and bomb technicians.
Those opposed also believe it could strain current negotiations with the Taliban to end the longest war in U.S. history. The Taliban have demanded during peace talks that CIA officers leave the country along with international military forces.
About 14,000 U.S. troops remain in the country, training Afghan troops and for counterterrorism measures.
