Afghanistan
More than 2,400 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001. Democrats are divided about how and when to bring troops home.
By Megan Duzor | VOA News
FILE - U.S. Marines stand guard during a change-of-command ceremony at Task Force Southwest military field in Shorab military camp of Helmand province, Jan. 15, 2018. (AP)
The United States has had troops in Afghanistan since it began a campaign against Taliban forces in 2001, following the September 11 terror attacks. The Pentagon says nearly 2,400 American troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001, and more than 20,000 have been wounded. The number of U.S. troops in the country has varied, with the number surging to more than 100,000 in 2009, when former U.S. President Barack Obama sought to counter a resurgence of violence across Afghanistan. In 2017, when President Donald Trump took office, there were about 8,500 troops in Afghanistan and Trump increased that number in August 2017 to 14,000. While the Democratic candidates for president largely agree to bring the troops home, they differ on the timeline to do so.
What deadlines will you commit to regarding withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan?
Withdraw troops within my first term
Commit to a drawdown but timing should be based on conditions
Public opinion
Should the United States increase, maintain, reduce or withdraw its military forces from Afghanistan?
9% Increase
22%
Withdrawal
25%
41%
Reduce
Maintain
22%
25%
41%
Withdrawal
9% Increase
Reduce
Maintain
22%
25%
41%
9%
Withdrawal
Increase
Maintain
Reduce
Source: Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey (published September 6, 2019)
President Donald Trump’s position: President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would bring U.S. troops home form “endless wars.” However, he also warned in 2017 against a “hasty withdrawal” from Afghanistan and said “conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on.”