Breaking: U.S. to Draw Down Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq before Trump Leaves Office

The U.S. will reduce troop levels in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 and in Iraq from 3,000 to 2,500, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced on Tuesday.

The announcement confirms one last draw down of American soldiers from the Middle East before President Trump leaves office. The draw down will take place by January 15, just five days before Joe Biden will be inaugurated.

Joining Miller at the announcement, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said the president hopes all remaining troops will leave Afghanistan by May. It is not clear if Biden would follow through on Trump’s withdrawals.

Trump has repeatedly advocated a total withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The U.S. invaded the country shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, aiming to topple the Taliban government and deny Al-Qaeda a safe haven in the country.

While the president has received support from some Republicans including Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, others including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Florida Senator Marco Rubio opposed the move.

U.S. to Draw Down Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq before Trump Leaves Office The announcement confirms one last draw down of American soldiers from the Middle East before President Trump ... READ MORE ADVERTISEMENT WHAT NR IS READING Hunting Four Horsemen A Dangerous Clique Novel By Jim Geraghty The CIA's Katrina Leonidivna and her Dangerous Clique team are back in this explosive, thrilling sequel to Between Two Scorpions and the stakes have never been higher. The coronavirus pandemic is over, but it inspired a sinister plot and the four horsemen of the apocalypse are already riding. LEARN MORE Follow Us & Share 19 West 44th Street, Suite 1701, New York, NY, 10036, USA Your Preferences | Unsubscribe | Privacy View this e-mail in your browser.