Hurry might be a relative term, though, considering Washington's military involvement in the country is approaching the two-decade mark. The Trump administration's deadline to draw down U.S. forces to 2,500 troops by mid-January — paving the way for a full withdrawal — has been greeted with nervousness by NATO allies. Key parts of Kandahar province, which have remained relatively peaceful since the Canadian withdrawal from there almost a decade ago, have become contested. The reality is, without U.S. logistical and air support, a standalone NATO mission would have a short shelf life. At the same time, the group has consistently refused to take part in a ceasefire, with frequent attacks against Afghan security forces.

Source: CBC News November 24, 2020 09:00 UTC