Trump pulls troops out of Afghanistan

The Trump administration has ordered the military to start withdrawing around 7,000 troops from Afghanistan – roughly half the remaining U.S. military presence in the country – U.S. media reports

U.S. TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN (2001-2018, thousands)

100
90
80
70
60
50 
40
30
20
10
0  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18



May 1, 2011: Surge peaks at 100,000. U.S. special forces kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan

Dec 2009: 69,000. President Barack Obama announces “surge” of 30,000 troops

Oct 2001: U.S. President George W Bush launches military operation following Sep 11 attacks on U.S.

Apr 2002: 7,425

Sep 2017: President Donald Trump announces 3,000 extra troops at request of U.S. Defence Secretary  James Mattis

Feb 2013: 66,000. Obama announces 34,000 troops to leave

Oct-Dec 2014: U.S. and NATO formally end combat mission, but troops remain to support Afghan force

Dec 2018: Trump plans to withdraw half of 14,000 U.S. troops. Mattis resign



     Sources: Brookings Institution, FAS Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS