SULAIMANI (ESTA) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is likely to review troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan in an effort to examine American strategy in two conflicts, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the reduction of troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan last year. The U.S. military cut troop level in both countries to 2,500.
Chris Miller, former U.S. acting secretary of defense, said the Pentagon planning for additional troop reduction to zero by May, noting that “any such future drawdowns remain conditions bases”.
In his confirmation hearing last week, defense secretary Austin indicated that he would review the strategies and resources in those conflicts, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Austin’s spokesman, John Kirby, said officials hadn’t yet made a formal decision to review troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It stands to reason that the incoming administration will want to better understand the status of operations in both places and the resources being applied to those missions,” WSJ cited Kirby as saying.
“Nothing has changed about our desire to defend the American people from the threat of terrorism, while also making sure we are appropriately resourcing our strategy,” he added.
Kirby further said any decision on troop levels would be taken in consultation with the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Wall Street Journal said.
