Trump removing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq is ‘fraught with risk’, Pentagon chief warns

Donald Trump’s planned reduction of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan before the next presidential administration is “fraught with risk”, according to the newly-installed Pentagon chief.

Acting Secretary of Defence Christopher C Miller said the US would not hesitate to strike back if malign actors undermined the recently-announced withdrawal to 2,500 troops in each country by 15 January 2021.