Top U.S. general says it's possible he'll request more troops for Afghanistan


The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says he won't hesitate to ask for more troops if necessary to train Afghan soldiers.
There are 9,800 U.S. troops now training Afghan forces, and Army Gen. John Campbell told USA Today he wants to hold off on the scheduled reduction to 5,500 troops by Jan. 1, 2017. "If I don't believe that we can accomplish the train, advise, and assist, and the [counter-terrorism] missions, then I owe it to the senior leadership to come back and say, 'Here's what I need,'" he said. "If that's more people, it's more people."
In a quarterly assessment, the Pentagon reported that in the second half of 2015, "the overall security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated with an increase in effective insurgent attacks and higher [Afghan security force] and Taliban casualties." Campbell said that while it's not all bad news in Afghanistan — the number of high-profile suicide bombings dropped 36 percent from 262 in 2014 to 168 in 2015, and Kabul is a "vibrant city" — it's important to contain the situation. "If we don't stay engaged here or build their capacity to fight this, keep sanctuary down, it's coming back to the homeland," he told USA Today. "So it's pay a little bit now, build the capability, and keep this an away game as opposed to a home game."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The Week US terms and conditions
-
Leo XIV vs. Trump: what will first American Pope mean for US Catholics?
Today's Big Question New pope has frequently criticised the president, especially on immigration policy, but is more socially conservative than his predecessor
-
What's going on with the Beckhams?
In the Spotlight From wedding tantrums to birthday snubs, rumours of a family rift are becoming harder to hide
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read