Donald Trump does not agree with NATO. He stood firm in his decision to withdraw 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and Iraq by January 15. On Tuesday, the Pentagon made clear that no matter what NATO says, the United States will not change its decision.
Last week, Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Asper. He was replaced by Christopher Miller as Acting Secretary of Defense. Miller told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that 2,000 troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan and 500 from Iraq by January 15. A few days ago, Donald Trump said the same thing. He said that the country’s troops would no longer be kept out. In fact, Trump previously said that troops from Afghanistan and Iraq would be brought home before Christmas.
“The United States has already made that decision,” Miller said. This decision was made after considering all the strategies. We plan with the interests of American citizens in mind. It’s not about getting away from that thought. “
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Sultan Qasim Sayedi, model
The 17-year-old model from Kabul likes to do sporty hairdos. Her favorite models are Omar Burkan from Saudi Arabia and Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. He fears that “with the Taliban in power, we may no longer be able to show off.” But even then, the sultan wants peace instead of war.
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Hussein, hairdresser
Like millions of Afghans, Hussein’s family fled to neighboring Iran to escape the horrors of war. But now Hussein, 19, works as a hairdresser in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. He is happy that peace talks with the Taliban have started. “We need an end to war and conflict in our country,” he said. I want the Taliban to change their policy so they don’t behave like they used to. “
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Mahdi Jahak, artist
Sahdi Jahak, a 25-year-old artist, believes the Taliban should learn from the past 18 years. “There is hope for peace,” he said. But they have to recognize the success the country has achieved in the last 18 years and give everyone the opportunity to enjoy their lives. “
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Kawsar Sherzad, athlete
Muay Thai athlete Kawsar Sherzad 6 He is 18 and 6 years old Concerned by the Taliban’s past views on women Kawsar says: “Afghan women have achieved great success in sport I am hopeful that the Taliban will accept these successes” .
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Sohail Atai, businessman
At just 22 years old, Sohail owns a luxury clothing store. Since I learned to understand, I grew up seeing violence, war and bombs all over the country. Now, in any case, he wants an end to this war. Sohail says: “We are tired of war. We want peace for a better life now.”
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Maram Atayi, pianist
Maram, 18, is learning to play the piano at a music school in Kabul. The biggest concern for him is whether the Taliban will allow him to play the piano again when he returns to power. Maram said: “It is better if there is an agreement between the government and the Taliban. The right to music and the rights of women must be guaranteed.”
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Omid Arman, model
Model Omid, 21, poses for a photo in a clothing store in Kabul She thinks war-conflict is ‘enough’ Omid said: “Everyone in this country wants peace. We have witnessed many conflicts. no more. We don’t want to see another catastrophe. “
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Nadeem Korayshi, businessman
Nadeem, 19, owns a game store in Kabul He hopes the wind of peace will bring good results after so many years of conflict. “We want to see a lasting agreement between the government and the Taliban,” Nadeem said.
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Young Afghans worried about the future
Jarghona Haidari, employee
Jarghona works in a bookstore He is 22 years old Jarghona does not see much hope in the peace process “I do not see any prospect of peace in this country in the short term,” he said. I don’t think the Taliban will come to an agreement with the government in the end. “
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg had previously opposed Trump’s decision. He said that NATO forces, including the United States, have been working in Afghanistan and Iraq for more than a decade. If they are suddenly removed, all this hard work can go to waste. He fears that the Afghan administration’s meeting with the Taliban has not yet reached a solution. At this point, if NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the Taliban could again create unrest within the country. As a result, NATO troops should remain in Afghanistan for a few more days. There are currently around 12,000 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan. Most of which are in the US In addition, the United States provides all military equipment, including cars, planes, and tanks, to NATO forces. As a result, if the United States withdraws its troops, it will not be able to use the weapons of war in other countries. Everyone will be forced to remove it.
Trump, however, refuses to listen. He said he had signed a peace agreement with the Taliban in February. It was decided to withdraw all the troops from US territory within 14 months. There is no possibility of deviating from that decision.
The US military secretary has made it clear that he wants to bring troops back before Trump leaves. It remains to be seen if Biden will change his mind after taking the oath in January.
The attacker struck shortly after noon in front of a US military base in Baghdad. Two rockets were reportedly fired. However, no casualties were reported. No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.
SG / GH (AFP, Reuters)
