Trump's Plan For Strategic Retreat in Afghanistan
The New York Times reported yesterday that the Trump Administration has formulated a new plan for Afghanistan which involves surrendering much of the rural area to the Taliban. President Trump wants Afghan and US forces to concentrate on the protection of heavily populated cities like Kabul and Kandahar.
If implemented, the new plan would acknowledge that Trump's troop surge strategy has failed to turn the tide and that the war remains a stalemate. It also explains why the administration has entered into direct talks with Taliban leaders to find a resolution to the conflict which began in response to the 9/11 attacks.

Photo credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro