What possible impacts could there be to a rapid draw down of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq?

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:32:02 -0500

Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced Tuesday that the US will withdraw thousands more US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq by January 15, 2021 -- just days before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, confirming plans first reported by CNN on Monday.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/politics/afghanistan-iraq-withdrawal-pentagon/index.html

US announces further drawdown of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before Biden takes office

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 18 at 2020 2:45 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:45:35 -0500

IMO it won't matter when we leave, the Afghan Gov't will not stay in power as is.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2020 3:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:13:50 -0500

Now he does it? Probably would have changed some election numbers if it was executed two years sooner under a little more planned environment.

The place is going to implode without us, and I don't think we should care.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 18 at 2020 3:45 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:45:30 -0500

Terrorist groups get a chance to catch their breath and come back stronger than ever.

BLUF: it's an opportunity for them to take back all the ground they've lost over 20+ years.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 18 at 2020 4:55 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:55:11 -0500

AN implosion of the country (which I could give a $&!+ about) and loss of troops in the region and unstability...in a nutshell.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 19 at 2020 8:51 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:51:51 -0500

For God’s sake, leave now or when? The doctrinal answer would be “when conditions are set” (Phase IV / V of Joint Operations). But if history is worth a penny, Afghanistan is a lost cause. As a whole is not sustainable on its own so either we stay there for ever or cut the cord at some point. Better sooner than later because I rather have our troops home than there in defense of the indefensible.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2020 10:44 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:44:24 -0500

More heroin on the street. Oregon is in the market.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Nov 19 at 2020 12:08 PM

SPC Steven Depuy — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 12:08:56 -0500

How long is long enough. They have been saying for 15 years when we leave, the government falls. If we still have not changed that, how long, how many more body bags. This is what happens when you get into wars you don't let the troops win. When our "allies" in the region give shelter openly to those we are supposed to be fighting, whats the point of doing it. Pakistan has wanted the Taliban back in power since this started, they gave OSB shelter for years. Seems to be if we are going to help someone in the region, it should be India, but what the hell do I know in the end. I am just some older than dirt grumpy dude who is just tired of seeing our kids die for no point.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Nov 19 at 2020 10:34 PM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:34:24 -0500

As a Vietnam Combat survivor and career airborne Light Infantryman, your question is like a double edge sword. The reason I say this is because the Middle East is known as the most Hot spot on the planet. If you think about the possibilities of war which might involved the US, the possibilities are high. In fact, the half of the world's extreme danger zones are located in the Middle East! I would say that we should take the safe approach and have a sizable element of allied forces in the area and not just our troops. Mobilizing takes a lot of Tax payer funds when moving equipment and men to troubled areas. Besides, our enemies would fear our military presence there, in other word, better safe than sorry!

Response by SGT Frances Richardson made Nov 20 at 2020 9:03 AM

SGT Frances Richardson — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:03:11 -0500

This is news? When I deployed in my last deployment ('13-'14) we were there for the drawdown. When I was deployed in 2012, they started talking about the drawdown. Why is this still news?