{"id":67187,"date":"2020-12-02T18:08:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-02T18:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/12\/02\/militarys-top-officer-says-weve-had-a-modicum-of-success-in-afghanistan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:58:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:58:47","slug":"militarys-top-officer-says-weve-had-a-modicum-of-success-in-afghanistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2020\/12\/02\/militarys-top-officer-says-weve-had-a-modicum-of-success-in-afghanistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Military\u2019s top officer says we\u2019ve had a \u2018modicum of success\u2019 in Afghanistan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With plans in motion to draw down the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan<\/a> to 2,500 next month, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff defended that decision by outlining the state of the conflict <\/a>there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to reaching something of a stalemate, where the Taliban can\u2019t conquer the U.S.-backed Afghan security forces, and the U.S. can\u2019t bring the Taliban to its knees, Army Gen. Mark Milley<\/a> said Wednesday during a Brookings Institution event, the U.S. has probably done all it can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe believe now that after 20 years, two decades of consistent effort, that we he have achieved a modicum of success,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the first boots hit the ground in October 2001, more than 2,400 American troops have died and nearly 21,000 have been injured, along with close to $1 trillion spent on trying to stabilize Afghanistan enough that it won\u2019t again become a training ground for terrorist groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller announced on Nov. 17 that forces in that country would draw down from 4,500 to 2,500 by Jan. 15, continuing on a Trump administration plan laid out earlier this year that would bring the number to zero by May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the blessings of providence in the coming year, we will finish this generational war and bring our men and women home,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWe will protect our children from the heavy burden and toll of perpetual war. And we will honor the sacrifices made in service to peace and stability in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world and celebrate all those who helped us secure freedom over oppression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taliban and Afghan government, with input from the State Department are continuing peace negotiations in Qatar<\/a>. A negotiated settlement like the one they\u2019re moving toward, Milley said, is the most common resolution in a situation where an operational victory is improbable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not yet known, however, where the incoming Biden administration will stand on the drawdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Donald Trump ordered the drop to 2,500 in November after firing former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who had lobbied for a pause in drawing down after the number hit 4,500 in early November \u2015 down from about 8,000 in the spring \u2015 to give time for analysis on how the lower troop level affected the security situation in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle lamented the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\t