But he said any withdrawal would happen as part of a peace agreement with the Taliban. U.S. forces are training and advising Afghan forces and conducting counterterrorism operations against extremists. “The aim is to still get a peace agreement at some point, that’s the best way forward,” said Esper. Esper planned to meet with his top commanders in Afghanistan as the U.S. works to determine the way ahead in the 18-year war. He has complained that the U.S. has been serving as policemen in Afghanistan, and says that’s not the American military’s job.

Source: thestar October 20, 2019 12:22 UTC