Afghanistan: Pentagon says no decision yet on number of …
The Pentagon has not made a final decision about how many troops will be sent to Afghanistan to try and break the stalemate in that country's 16-year-long war, two senior defense officials told Fox News Thursday.
The officials said that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on multiple occasions this week that a new strategy would not be delivered until mid-July. Their statements contradict an Associated Press report that claimed almost 4,000 additional U.S. troops would go to Afghanistan and an announcement could come as soon as next week.
For the past two months, the Pentagon has been considering sending between 3,000 and 5,000 U.S. troops to help train and advise Afghan forces.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis before he testifies at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Monday, June 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
This week, President Trump gave Mattis the authority to decide how many troops he needed in Afghanistan. In April, the president granted Mattis similar authority to decide how many U.S. forces were needed to fight ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Over the course of four separate appearances before lawmakers this week, Mattis said he wanted U.S. troops to operate alongside the Afghan Army and help them by calling in airstrikes in the hope of making an impact on the battlefield against the Taliban. Currently, the military operates in more of a planning role alongside Afghan forces.
Earlier this week, Mattis told a Senate panel the Obama administration's decision to cut the number of troops in Afghanistan and put restrictions on air power was "misguided."
"When we reduced our forces there, I believe in, what was probably in hindsight a misguided application of our forces, we restricted them from using our air support with some idea that we would wean them off the need of it," Mattis said to the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee.
The number of American airstrikes in Afghanistan have increased significantly under President Trump. April saw more bombs dropped there than in any month since 2012, according to the Air Force.
In February, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John W. Nicholson, said he needed a "few thousand" additional troops from the United States and NATO.
U.S. forces and Afghan security police are seen in Asad Khil near the site of a U.S. bombing in the Achin district of Jalalabad, east of Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo)
Since then, the Pentagon has been planning for an increase and taking recommendations to the White House. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. told Congress this week that President Trump has seen some of the early plans. Officials tell Fox News that there have been a number of National Security Council meetings at the White House as different options are discussed, according to officials.
Earlier this week, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chided Mattis and Dunford for not having a strategy in Afghanistan.
Mattis responded by admitting that the U.S. "isn't winning," making him the latest senior U.S. military leader to describe the war against Islamic extremists in Afghanistan as a stalemate.
Today there are 8,400 American troops on the ground in Afghanistan, down from a high of 100,000 ground forces in August 2010. Shortly before leaving office, President Barack Obama ordered 1,500 troops withdrawn from the country after scrapping plans for a near-total withdrawal that was supposed to take place by the end of 2016.
Last weekend, three U.S. Army soldiers were shot and killed by Afghan soldiers in a reminder of the danger facing Americans there.
A farmer works on his field, on the outskirts of the village of Madakhel, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Today, the U.S. military estimates that the Afghan government only controls roughly 60 percent of the country. The Taliban is the most prominent insurgent group, but they are not the only concern. ISIS-affiliated fighters have taken hold of portions of eastern Afghanistan.
On Thursday, ISIS claimed to have captured Tora Bora, a mountain hideout in Afghanistan once used by Usama bin Laden, but the Taliban dismissed the claim, saying they were still in control of the cave complex.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lucas Tomlinson is the Pentagon and State Department producer for Fox News Channel. You can follow him on Twitter: @LucasFoxNews
Here is the original post:
Afghanistan: Pentagon says no decision yet on number of ...
- 'Welcome to Afghanistan': Shocking tourism promo urging Americans to visit the country goes viral - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump dishes on Milley clash over leaving military equipment in Afghanistan: 'I knew he was an idiot' - Fox News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Russia becomes the first country to recognize Taliban's rule in Afghanistan - NBC News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Statement of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor on the issuance of arrest warrants in the Situation in Afghanistan - | International Criminal Court - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Following decades in Iran, 'there's nothing left' for millions of Afghan migrants in Afghanistan - France 24 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 45-year-old man in Afghanistan married a 6-year-old child: the Taliban's reaction was swift - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Welcome to Afghanistan': This could be the most bizarre tourism video ever - Stuff - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- The Hairdressers Story: Exile, Loss, and a Forced Return to Afghanistan - 8am.media - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- ICC expresses sadness at the passing of Afghanistan umpire Bismillah Jan Shinwari - ICC - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taliban rule over US objections - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Will Pakistan Be Next to Recognise Taliban Rule in Afghanistan After Russia? - Times Now - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to recognize Taliban government of Afghanistan since 2021 takeover - CNN - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- India abstains from UNGA resolution on Afghanistan, calls for coordinated global efforts against terrorism - News On AIR - - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Experts: Russia Recognizing Taliban Rule in Afghanistan Largely a Symbolic Move - The Moscow Times - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Pakistan warns UN of escalating terror threat from Afghanistan - Dawn - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan. The Taliban are eager to welcome them - The Seattle Times - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants trying to get into Pakistan from Afghanistan - Euronews - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Trump News | 'Afghanistan Maybe The Most Embarrassing Moment In The History Of US': Donald Trump - NDTV - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Afghanistan Emerges as a New Frontier for Adventure Tourism: A Blend of Promise and Challenges - Travel And Tour World - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Afghanistan: A Hidden Gem That Deserves to Be Seen Up Close - Vocal - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Nation To Recognize Taliban-Led Afghanistan - The Media Line - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia is the first country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan - Commonspace.eu - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First State to Recognise Taliban Government of Afghanistan - UNITED24 Media - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to officially recognise Taliban in Afghanistan - bne IntelliNews - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- The Unexpected Consequences of War Between Iran and Israel on Afghanistan - The Diplomat Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Russia is the first country in the world to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan - - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Sanctioned Businessman With Kremlin Ties Returns To Afghanistan - - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Pak security forces kill 30 terrorists trying to infiltrate from Afghanistan - Deccan Herald - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Country to Recognize Afghanistans Taliban Government - The New York Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Is First Country to Recognize Taliban Rule in Afghanistan - The Daily Beast - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Taliban praise Russias brave decision to recognise their rule in Afghanistan - The Guardian - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government - France 24 - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Pace Thanks Troops in Afghanistan, Notes Signs of Progress - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize Talibans latest rule in Afghanistan - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Troops kill 30 militants attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan - WRAL.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Army Reservist to Receive Silver Star for Heroism in Afghanistan - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to formally recognize Taliban-led government in Afghanistan - LiveNOW from FOX - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Hillsdale veteran Greg Whalen reflects on Afghanistan withdrawal through his music - Hillsdale Daily News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes 1st Country To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan - NDTV - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- China Hails Russias Decision To Recognize Taliban Rule In Afghanistan; Will Beijing Follow Suit? - EurAsian Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia Becomes First Nation to Recognise Taliban Rule in Afghanistan - The Wire India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban government in Afghanistan - Trkiye Today - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia the first to recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan - BBC - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan - The Indian Express - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia officially recognises the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - 5Pillars - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia First to Officially Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan - - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Russia becomes first nation to formally recognize Taliban rule in Afghanistan - all details here - Mint - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Pakistan army kills 30 militants trying to cross from Afghanistan: Here's all we know - WION - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Kremlin's new stance: Russia first to officially recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government; will foster - Times of India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Tourists Are Trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban Government Is Eager to Welcome Them - Military.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Afghanistan: First-Hand Accounts Expose Torture by Taliban Intelligence Services - World Organisation Against Torture | OMCT - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Flight to freedom: A pilot's journey from the fall of Afghanistan to fighting fires in America - Fairfield Sun Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Building crutches, walkers, and stretchers from scratch in Afghanistan - Doctors Without Borders - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Russia to host seventh round of Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan this fall - Amu TV - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Earthquake of magnitude 3.9 strikes Afghanistan; third since June 28 - Business Standard - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- US Travelers Join The Surge In Foreign Visitors To Afghanistan, With The Taliban Government Eager To Capitalize On Tourism For Economic Revival -... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - dailyrecordnews.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Afghanistan: Surging returns from Iran overwhelm fragile support systemsThe European Sting is Your democratic, independent and top quality political... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Hengaw Organization for Human Rights: 40 Citizens of Afghanistan Executed in Iran Over the Past Six Months - Hasht-e Subh Daily - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Heavy rainfall triggers fatal flash floods in Maidan Wardak and Logar, Afghanistan - The Watchers - Watching the world evolve and transform - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Earthquake of magnitude 4.9 jolts Afghanistan - Times of India - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- The UN mission for Afghanistan has warned that the influx of deportees risks further destabilising the crisis-wracked country - IslanderNews.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Temple Daily Telegram - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Russia to hold 7th Moscow Format Talks on Afghanistan This Fall - Khaama Press - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Record 256,000 migrants returned to Afghanistan from Iran in June IOM - Daily Excelsior - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan no longer part of World Banks South Asia region; Johannes Zutt to be new head | Today News - Mint - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - AP News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists trickling back into Afghanistan; Taliban eager to welcome them - Tribune India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Crossing The Divides: Chinas Gamble To Bring CPEC To Afghanistan OpEd - Eurasia Review - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them - Bluefield Daily Telegraph - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan; Taliban govt eager to welcome them - Telangana Today - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Uzbekistan dispatch: is this country what Afghanistan might have been, or still could be? - JURIST Legal News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- UN Women: 80 Percent of Young Women in Afghanistan Denied Access to Education and Employment - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Surge in Deportations from Iran: Over 88,000 Afghanistan Citizens Repatriated in Less Than a Week - Hasht-e Subh Daily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Afghanistan Has Become Safe Haven For Terror Groups Again, Says US Congressman Bill Huizenga - Free Press Journal - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Access to emergency, critical and operative care in Afghanistan: Perspectives from Afghan people in 11 provinces - ReliefWeb - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Poland, Ukraine, Japan, US, Afghanistan and Iraq Witness Explosive Rise in Dark Tourism as Youth Seek Powerful and Haunting Travel Experiences -... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]