{"id":34042,"date":"2020-03-02T18:47:17","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T18:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/02\/esper-gives-go-ahead-to-begin-drawdown-of-american-forces-in-afghanistan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:03:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:03:33","slug":"esper-gives-go-ahead-to-begin-drawdown-of-american-forces-in-afghanistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/02\/esper-gives-go-ahead-to-begin-drawdown-of-american-forces-in-afghanistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Esper gives go-ahead to begin drawdown of American forces in Afghanistan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon Monday that he has given the U.S. commander in Afghanistan<\/a> approval to begin a drawdown of American troops in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the signing of a deal with the Taliban on Saturday, the U.S. has agreed to reduce its footprint in Afghanistan<\/a> to 8,600 within 135 days of the signing and complete a total withdrawal of U.S. forces in 14 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That deal is \u201cconditions based,\u201d Esper explained to reporters Monday, but he said the U.S. agreed to start the withdrawal process within the first 10 days of signing the agreement with the Taliban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are roughly 13,000 American troops in Afghanistan. The U.S. will reduce its forces to 8,600 over the next several months, then assess the situation and progress of the peace process in Afghanistan, Esper said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t