The White House is reviewing a request by President Ashraf Ghani to maintain higher levels of U.S. military troops in Afghanistan, said Christine Wormuth, undersecretary of defense for policy.
President Obama “has not made his decision yet” on how he would adjust the planned drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Wormuth said Tuesday.
“He wants us there, we have a willing partner” in Ghani, compared to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said.
About 10,500 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, with that number expected to be reduced to 5,500 by the end of the year, with a complete withdrawal, except for an embassy security force of about 1,000, by the end of 2016.
Wormuth said Ghani’s request maintains the overall departure of U.S. troops at the end of 2016, but asks that higher levels be kept for a longer period of time. The request”is being looked at at very high levels,” she said.
Ghani is expected to visit the U.S. March 24 and address a joint meeting of Congress March 25. He also will meet with Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter while in the U.S.
