Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was silent Thursday on whether the Biden administration will commit to a full U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan ahead of a fast-approaching May deadline. Meanwhile, as Austin’s first NATO ministerial meeting as secretary wrapped up, he praised the alliance for promising to increase its troop level in Iraq dramatically.
“He told the allies that the U.S. is conducting a thorough review of the conditions of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement to determine whether all parties have adhered to those conditions,” according to a Pentagon statement released after the conclusion of the virtual meeting.
Consistent with prior Defense Department comments, the statement said Austin would consult NATO allies and partners throughout the process but gave no indication which way the president and secretary are leaning.
However, less than 10 weeks remain in that process if the United States is to comply with a February 2019 peace deal inked with the Taliban by the Trump administration. That pact calls for a full American withdrawal.
In one of his last national security moves in office, President Donald Trump drew down U.S. forces in Afghanistan from about 5,000 to just 2,500, a force many believed was insufficient for the counterterrorism and advise and assist mission.
That force has also been repeatedly called upon to protect Afghan security forces as they defend themselves from Taliban attacks in a security situation that is spiraling out of control, according to field commanders and the congressionally mandated Afghan Study Group.
The Pentagon has repeatedly stated it does not see the Taliban as adhering to the peace deal, which calls for reducing violence.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously said if U.S. forces leave, so will NATO forces. Still, Austin promised any move would be orderly.
“He reassured Allies that the U.S. would not undertake a hasty or disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan,” the statement added.
An overnight snowstorm in Washington allowed Austin to delay his first public comments to the press and avoid reporters’ questions that may have unearthed more information.
The rescheduled press conference and Austin’s introduction to the Pentagon press corps is still pending.
NATO ramps up in Iraq
Austin also praised NATO for a commitment to increase its presence in Iraq incrementally from 500 to 4,000 troops.
“Secretary Austin welcomed the expanded role for NATO Mission Iraq, and expressed confidence that all of the work done to date with the Iraqi government and security forces will lead to a self-sustainable mission,” the statement read.
In announcing the troop increase, Stoltenberg described an expanded NATO mission in the country at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
“Today, we decided to expand NATO’s training mission in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces as they fight terrorism and ensure that ISIS does not return,” he said. “Training activities will now include more Iraqi security institutions and areas beyond Baghdad.”
Trump had also reduced the small American footprint in Iraq to just 2,500 in his last weeks in office, requiring a further consolidation of the bases used by American troops, including one in Erbil that was attacked Monday by a suspected Iranian-backed militia.
Defense analysts have argued that replacing American troops with NATO troops would lead to fewer attacks because Iran does not want to antagonize European countries that are still party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and providing the country with sanctions relief.
The Pentagon contends the U.S. still has a role in Iraq.
“The secretary reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the enduring defeat of ISIS,” the statement read.
Austin also noted that the Erbil rocket attack, which injured one U.S. service member and several contractors, “underscores the importance of our continued work in the region.”
