The formal announcement of an exit date for the US troops has been largely
met with criticisms, because it gives the opponents a schedule to prepare and
plan, and creates the impression, the US has lost and is running. Instead of
exercising further damage limitation exercises, the US senior officials
announced that President Barack Obama was now considering the ‘zero option’ -
total withdrawal of US forces after 2014. This seems detrimental, whilst a
bilateral security agreement between Kabul and Washington is being negotiated to
determine the size of the US forces to remain after the US exit; their role will
be to aid the nascent Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF) to maintain peace
and stability.
Naturally, the announcement of the ‘Zero Option’ has been criticised widely
by military experts and diplomats. The former commander of U.S. and
international forces in Afghanistan, retired Gen. John Allen stated: “They don't
want us in large numbers, but they want us there in enough numbers to help to
continue to develop the ANSF." On the surface this announcement of the ‘Zero
Option’ seems like the US is announcing total capitulation. However, given the
recent political development with the efforts to get a negotiated settlement
with the Taliban, it could mean two things:
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