U.S. forces to leave Afghanistan by end of 2016

I'm waiting for that day! Somehow I recall that it was to be more like 2010, made in 2008.

Maybe the oil has run dry

Maybe the oil has run dry

What oil?

“So I’m hopeful we can get this done,” Obama said.

The timing sounds about right. At the end of his tenure, the troops finally go back home. that would bring closure to a page of American history.

Then the country, sorry, Kabul, will return to chaos. The rest of the country is already in chaos.

You will see the government fleeing with bags of money. Well, with what is left.

TumbleDry-correct! So why wait? Do it now!

Finally, a victory for sanity. 

A good call from a president who knows when to end the game and who - to his immense credit - has been smart enough not to enter a single war so far in his presidency.

That's a far cry from the Republicans who started 2 massively expensive wars, and who just recently nearly unanimously voted down a bill that would have funded VA services and vet treatment costs.....because 'it adds to the deficit.' 

And funding 2 decade-long wars doesn't?????

It's logic like this that proves yet again the GOP is nowhere near fit to lead. 

But 10,000 troops will remain more or less permanently. Of course if that fact were mentioned, we couldn't title the article "US forces to leave Afghanistan by 2016." I guess the current administration is no more honest than the previous one.

A good call from a president who knows when to end the game and who - to his immense credit - has been smart enough not to enter a single war so far in his presidency.

What are you talking about?? Afghanistan WAS Obama's war. More men and women died under Obama over 72%!

That's a far cry from the Republicans who started 2 massively expensive wars, and who just recently nearly unanimously voted down a bill that would have funded VA services and vet treatment costs.....because 'it adds to the deficit.'

Not trying to get off topic. Sorry, that won't wash either. Obama partially campaigned at ending over 50 years of neglect that was sadly to say done by both parties and neither party in power cared enough to fix the problems that were plaguing the VA and under Obama, it just got worse. That's a fact. Don't even try to say the Dems or Obama has done their best. Under Obama there were already 40 suicides from vets. But Obama NEVER, EVER wants anyone that screws up under his watch to resign. Eric Shinseki can stay, but when McChrystal gets fired for criticizing the president (in a nutshell) This is NOT a partisan issue. Everyone should be outraged and both parties dropped the ball when it comes to our Veterans!

And funding 2 decade-long wars doesn't?????

Throw in Obama's Afghanistan

It's logic like this that proves yet again the GOP is nowhere near fit to lead.

Oh, and Obama is????? He's fit to lead that's why the U.S. is a complete mess and that's why Dems all over the country are losing elections and the trend is growing. Because they are so good at leading right?

-A good call from a president who knows when to end the game and who - to his immense credit - has been smart enough not to enter a single war so far in his presidency. - Me thinks somebody is worshiping Obama.

-That's a far cry from the Republicans who started 2 massively expensive wars, and who just recently nearly unanimously voted down a bill that would have funded VA services and vet treatment costs.....because 'it adds to the deficit.' -- No, Bin Laden started the war. Iraq-? I still am confused why.

And FYI SushiSake3, simply throwing $$$ at the VA is and not the answer, efficiency is! For quite a long time the VA has had its problems. To me this was not news. Shocking that some veterans died because of in-efficient service but more money would mean new furniture in the offices and higher salaries. and same treatment for the Veterans.

time will tell but I'm betting within 2 years we will see what a colossal waste of life and money the whole Afghan exercise was.

Bass4funk: "What are you talking about?? Afghanistan WAS Obama's war."

Started by bush. Obama only inherited it. 

Thanks for underlining why the GOP and conservatism is a dying brand.

Bass4funk: "More men and women died under Obama."

Which, if you spent more than 1 second actually thinking about, has nothing whatsoever to do with 'whose' war it is.

Two massive own goals and it's only lunchtime. 

Good job, mate! :-)

Started by bush. Obama only inherited it.

So by your logic, if soldiers died under Bush, it was a war crime, but under Obama, it was because he inherited it. If you could see how much I am laughing right now.....

Thanks for underlining why the GOP and conservatism is a dying brand.

Yea, Liberals are about to lose the Senate, will probably gain more seats in the house and picking up seats in many of the gubernatorial races. Gee, for a party that is supposedly dying, they are sure making strides.

Which, if you spent more than 1 second actually thinking about, has nothing whatsoever to do with 'whose' war it is.

So now we can cherry pick, duck and evade the facts??

Two massive own goals and it's only lunchtime.

Good job, mate! :-)

I'm trying

"More men and women died under Obama over 72%!"

That's because troop levels during the Bush administration were tiny, around 20,000 to 25,000, less than 2 percent of all US active duty personnel!!!

Obama pushed up the levels to a surge in a bid to finish a job that was so poorly handled during the Bush years.

So by your logic, if soldiers died under Bush, it was a war crime, but under Obama, it was because he inherited it. If you could see how much I am laughing right now.....

I am laughing too Bass. I don't even think you yourself realize just how many words you stuffed into other people's mouths. You were handed one board, so you sliced it and diced it and made the size of a house. But its all toothpicks and won't withstand a fart.

Of course Obama and pals are responsible for adding to the flame. But they did not start it. I don't if Obama himself actually had any power to end it. But it is clear that Bush and pals started it. I am with you so far as demanding Obama also take heat, but Bush gets the lion's share.

Shame on everyone of every nationality who supported, abetted and actually served this nonsense.

Obama pushed up the levels to a surge in a bid to finish a job that was so poorly handled during the Bush years.

Exactly, but nonetheless, the troops died under Obama, so you guys want Bush to own up and take responsibility and the same goes for the guy in charge for the last 5 years now.

I don't even think you yourself realize just how many words you stuffed into other people's mouths. You were handed one board, so you sliced it and diced it and made the size of a house. But its all toothpicks and won't withstand a fart.

Sounds like we are having a cuisine discussion.

Of course Obama and pals are responsible for adding to the flame. But they did not start it. I don't if Obama himself actually had any power to end it. But it is clear that Bush and pals started it. I am with you so far as demanding Obama also take heat, but Bush gets the lion's share.

I am not disputing that. I just hate when liberals try to give Obama a pass on everything. But I can't argue on that point.

Shame on everyone of every nationality who supported, abetted and actually served this nonsense.

Come on now, it's not that easy, you just decline as an enlisted soldier of where you want or don't want to go. What kind of country would we be if we had that kind of anarchy.

"I just hate when liberals try to give Obama a pass on everything."

I don't. Obama inherited several massive disasters when taking office: Iraq, Afghanistan and a Depression. He does deserve some leeway, because so much of his time in the White House is being taken up dealing with the mistakes of his predecessor.

The momentum in Afghanistan was lost in the early critical years. It was one failed and pathetic strategy after another. Remember the "Northern Alliance"? LOL.

Bass, good to see you getting schooled in reality by Wrong Righter. :-)

Exactly, but nonetheless, the troops died under Obama, so you guys want Bush to own up and take responsibility and the same goes for the guy in charge for the last 5 years now.

Heh, "responsibility" conservative style. :-) Ie: zero. Nada.

That's about as ludicrous as blaming a fireman for trying to put out a fire sparked by an arsonist.

Obama campaigned to get out of Afghanistan. He's nearly there but you still moan. You'll never be happy whatever your president does.  Really, that's - sadly - indicative of some sort of probably irrational hatred, perhaps some issues?  Let's not go there. 

I am not disputing that. I just hate when liberals try to give Obama a pass on everything. 

We see this again and again with conservatives - little to no idea of the concept of responsibility. 

Here's some facts:

Bush and co. decided to invade Afghanistan. Did candidate Obama support it?  No. True to his ideals, when he campaigned for re-election, what did he do? He said let's get out of Afghanistan.  You heard that.  Now he's nearly done it.

That's not "liberals try(ing) to give Obama a pass."

That's your president keeping a promise.

If you don't like the war or US involvement in it, why are you still moaning? It's nearly over. 

Really, like I said, you'll never be happy whatever your president does.

Even when he keeps his word. 

Come on now, it's not that easy, you just decline as an enlisted soldier of where you want or don't want to go. What kind of country would we be if we had that kind of anarchy.

What kind of country would you have if you had a president who goes around invading counties like some people change their socks?

Bankrupt, weakened, unsure of itself.

Bass, you got what you voted for. 

YEY!! Yanks come home!!

Bush the war criminal got US troops needlessly ensnared in Afghanistan and Obama the war criminal got many more troops needlessly ensnared in the unwinnable quagmire that is Afghanistan not very unlike both the British Empire and the USSR. How many Vietnams does the US war machine need before the lesson is learned? The escalation of proxy wars, including via UAV drones is Orwellian indeed. So is it EastAsia or Eurasia that Oceania is at war with? And is the African war really about to end in victory?

@sushi

Heh, "responsibility" conservative style. :-) Ie: zero. Nada.

Benghazi, Iran, Syria, foreign policy, is there a grade lower than a F that we can give Dems and Obama?

That's about as ludicrous as blaming a fireman for trying to put out a fire sparked by an arsonist.

So now we're talking about Backdraft?

Obama campaigned to get out of Afghanistan. He's nearly there but you still moan. You'll never be happy whatever your president does. Really, that's - sadly - indicative of some sort of probably irrational hatred, perhaps some issues? Let's not go there.

First of all, he's not MY president, I didn't vote for the guy. I don't hate the man, I just think he's one of THE worst president ever surpassing Carter and he was beyond bad. But leaving and establishing a proper SOFA agreement and running are two entirely different things.

We see this again and again with conservatives - little to no idea of the concept of responsibility.

Speaking of, when will the president start with Benghazi and with the VA hospitals, now that you mention responsibility?

Here's some facts:

Bush and co. decided to invade Afghanistan. Did candidate Obama support it?

Obama said, Afghanistan is the real war and we should put our troops to fight the real enemy there. His war, own it, liberals.

No. True to his ideals, when he campaigned for re-election, what did he do? He said let's get out of Afghanistan. You heard that. Now he's nearly done it.

And like Iraq, he just cuts and runs and the Taliban is making a comeback and Iraq is already around 40% controlled by Al Qaeda. Nice work Mr. president.

That's your president keeping a promise.

What cutting and running, I tend to agree.

If you don't like the war or US involvement in it, why are you still moaning? It's nearly over.

No one likes a war, just hate when the president doesn't follow up on almost everything. Since his horrible when it comes to foreign, when the Germans and French are telling you to act like a leader, you know you hit rock bottom.

Really, like I said, you'll never be happy whatever the president does.

At this point, I'll be happier once the Republicans take over the Senate again. I will be very happy.

Even when he keeps his word.

That would be a first.

What kind of country would you have if you had a president who goes around invading counties like some people change their socks?

Or what kind of country would you have if you had a spineless president that let's our enemies do whatever they want with impunity like oh, let's take Russia, China, Syria and Iran for example, ohhhh, they're already doing that. We live NOW in a world where the president is being mocked disrespected. Personally, I don't want that kind of leader and thank God, we have 3 more years left of this nightmare that we have to deal with.

Bankrupt, weakened, unsure of itself.

Exactly!

Withdrawal

On 22 June President Obama announced that 10,000 troops would be withdrawn by the end of 2011 and an additional 23,000 troops would return by the summer of 2012. After the withdrawal of 10,000 U.S. troops, only 80,000 remained In July 2011 Canada withdrew its combat troops, transitioning to a training role

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Above was old news, Are they really coming home or not? Where will they be stationed? Anywhere prepared to accept them?