US alarmed by David Cameron's push for early Afghanistan withdrawal

[Bosonic]

Source: Telegraph

Senior American military figures have warned Britain that a hasty exit from Afghanistan could strain relations between the two countries.

The Daily Telegraph last week revealed that David Cameron has ordered British commanders to draw up plans to start pulling hundreds of British troops out of Afghanistan within weeks.

The Prime Minister is expected to discuss a co-ordinated Afghan withdrawal in London next week.

The prospect of an imminent British withdrawal is understood to have alarmed American generals, who are trying to resist political pressure for a major reduction in US troop numbers.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8517524/US-alarmed-by-David-Camerons-push-for-early-Afghanistan-withdrawal.html

[Javaman]

1. Yeah, how dare the Brits put a fly in the ointment of the US starting a war with Pakistan...

I mean honestly, were do they get the nerve!

[murphyj87]

2. Canada too...

On November 16, 2010, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced a new role for Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan that will build on significant progress in the areas of security, diplomacy, human rights and development.

Canada’s new role in Afghanistan will build on the accomplishments of Canada’s mission over the past 10 years. Our objective in Afghanistan remains the same: to help build a more secure, stable and self-sufficient Afghanistan that is no longer a safe haven for terrorists.

Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan post-2011 will be centred on Kabul and will focus on four key areas:

• investing in the future of Afghan children and youth through development programming in education and health
  
• advancing security, the rule of law and human rights, including through the provision of up to 950 trainers for Afghan security forces
  
• promoting regional diplomacy
  
• helping deliver humanitarian assistance
  

In other words, from July 2011 to July 2014, Canada will no longer have fighting troops, only trainers. Good luck U.S.

[Demeter]

3. If Obama Had a Heart, a Brain, OR the Nerve, the Troops Would Be Coming Home Already

but he doesn't, so they aren't.

[Citizen Worker]

4. The coalition of the willing is crumbling but the empire limps ever onward.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. A whole 400 fewer troops by next February; unlikely to be complete withdrawal before 2015

It's clear that the Prime Minister wants to show that progress is being made towards the eventual goal of having no British combat troops in the country by 2015.

Meantime defence sources insist that the troops coming home have come to the end of their duties and would be returning whether or not Britain accelerates its withdrawal - since they include some, like those working out of Kandahar airbase, who are no longer needed.

The facts are clear - Britain's enduring force level will, for the moment, remain at 9,500 but there will 400 fewer British troops in Afghanistan by next February than there are now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13434081