US commander paints grim picture of Taliban peace deal
US commander paints grim picture of Taliban peace deal
LOLITA C. BALDOR and ROBERT BURNS Associated Press
March 10, 2020, 1:33 PM
4 min read
WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. commander for the Middle East painted a grim picture Tuesday of the peace process with the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying the current level of attacks is higher than allowed in the plan and he has no confidence the group will honor its commitments.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie told the House Armed Services Committee that he has plans to cut the number of troops to 8,600 by the summer, but so far the U.S. “has not developed military plans” for the full withdrawal in 14 months that is called for in the peace plan signed Feb. 29.
“To date, Taliban attacks are higher than we believe are consistent with an idea to actually carry out this plan,” McKenzie said. “If they're unable to draw down the current level of attacks, then the political leadership will be able to make decisions based on that.”
...McKenzie was asked what evidence the U.S. has that the Taliban have cut ties with al-Qaida.
He said it’s pretty clear the Taliban are actively fighting the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, but added that he is “less optimistic” about al-Qaida.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-commander-paints-grim-picture-taliban-peace-deal-69505608
COVID-45 got fleeced by the Taliban and now we are “less optimistic” that they are cutting ties with al-Qaida? Didn’t al-Qaida fly planes into the Pentagon and New York City? Didn’t they use Afghanistan as a base as guest of the Taliban?
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