Yesterday's meeting between President Obama and Afghan President Karzai produced a commitment to accelerate the shift of U.S. combat forces
to an advisory and support role by this spring, requiring Afghan troops to conduct combat operations against insurgent forces. Sixty-six thousand U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan, but their numbers will be decreased by a drawdown beginning this summer, with the goal of all combat troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The President made it clear that there will still be U.S. special forces engaged in operations against remnants of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
It's certain that the end of major operations will produce a "peace dividend" for our economy, freeing up resources for needed investments in education and infrastructure. In addition, we can only hope that the people of Afghanistan -- especially the women who have suffered the most tyranny -- can move forward and live their lives to their full potential.
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photo: UNESCO, Hazara women in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan)
