Article

2017-08-31 Afghanistan

Pentagon admits thousands more troops are in Afghanistan than previously disclosed

[FOX] The Pentagon acknowledged Wednesday that there are thousands more American troops deployed in Afghanistan than repeatedly disclosed.

The number of troops deployed to Afghanistan is actually closer to 11,000, Defense Department spokeswoman Dana White said at a news conference. The Pentagon previously said there were 8,400 troops in Afghanistan under the Obama administration's troop cap.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ordered a change to how the Pentagon accounts for the number of troops serving in Afghanistan. A similar review to obtain accurate numbers of troops is pending for Iraq and Syria.

The estimated 11,000 soldiers in Afghanistan would not include future adjustments that Mattis may make to follow President Trump’s new strategy in South Asia, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, of the Marine Corps, said.

Military officials have long quietly acknowledged there are more troops in Afghanistan than the previous administration’s troop cap permitted. Commanders shuffled troops in and out, but labeled many as “temporary” and used other personnel accounting tactics to keep the public count artificially low.

The Afghanistan troop announcement comes as the Pentagon reportedly prepares to send close to 4,000 more troops to fight in the war-torn country.

Posted by Skidmark 2017-08-31 02:55|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/america%E2%80%99s-longest-war-hardly-its-worst

Posted by newc 2017-08-31 03:52|| 2017-08-31 03:52|| Front Page Top

#2 “We are Killing Terrorists.” That’s Half a Plan

Posted by newc 2017-08-31 04:05|| 2017-08-31 04:05|| Front Page Top

#3 Also still losing in Afghanistan wow maybe they should try causing a natural catastrophe and use PRIDE and EGO save them and win hearts and minds1

Posted by Crinegum Ulaigum2776 2017-08-31 05:41|| 2017-08-31 05:41|| Front Page Top

#4 So can we add this to another lie of the prior administration - ie You can keep your provider....

Posted by Procopius2k 2017-08-31 08:14|| 2017-08-31 08:14|| Front Page Top

#5 Phantom troop caps, red lines, etc. Obama = the Vapor President.

Meanwhile, the Trump admin has been awash in leaks. Although, it is my impression that there have been fewer of late. Has something changed?

Posted by Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 2017-08-31 08:57|| 2017-08-31 08:57|| Front Page Top

#6 New Chief of Staff and a west wing makeover that cleared out all sorts of things I imagine.

Posted by NoMoreBS 2017-08-31 10:35|| 2017-08-31 10:35|| Front Page Top

#7 That would be Reince Priebus.

Posted by Raj 2017-08-31 12:40|| 2017-08-31 12:40|| Front Page Top

#8 CU2776... How could we even "win" Afghanistan without cleaning up Pakistan? Its like "cleaning up" a creek downstream from an open sewer.
A Punitive Raid to chastise the Taliban -- that was doable. Civilization and Peace-making will have to be achieved by the Afghans themselves.

Posted by magpie 2017-08-31 17:14|| 2017-08-31 17:14|| Front Page Top

#9 And Bannon.

And Spicer.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2017-08-31 21:41|| 2017-08-31 21:41|| Front Page Top

20:17 SteveS
18:44 magpie
18:33 Frank G
18:33 badanov
18:26 Hellfish
18:23 Hellfish
17:40 swksvolFF
17:34 Ebbuger Whuque4103
17:30 Ebbuger Whuque4103
17:02 Melancholic
16:27 Gravilet Snanter4154
16:20 Chaise Speaking for Boskone7897
16:02 Skidmark
16:01 Skidmark
15:46 Skidmark
15:41 Skidmark
15:37 swksvolFF
15:36 Skidmark
15:34 Skidmark
15:27 Skidmark
14:48 NoMoreBS
14:31 NoMoreBS
14:16 NoMoreBS
14:15 NoMoreBS