Two U.S. soldiers were killed in Nangarhar province in Afghanistan Saturday, bringing the total number of U.S. service members killed in the country in 2020 to six. The incident again begged the question — what is the United States doing in Afghanistan.
Military officials confirm two 7th Special Forces Group soldiers killed in Afghanistan
"In the last few days, I was dismayed to hear of the death of Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rodriguez," said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. "Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez died of injuries sustained when an individual in the Afghan national security force, in SF uniform, opened fire on both U.S. and Afghan personnel...It brings our continued presence in Afghanistan — the longest military operation in our country's history — into pretty sharp relief."
The Senate Armed Services Committee met Tuesday to discuss the United States strategy in Afghanistan. The hearing's panel members had been involved at nearly every level and every phase of our engagement in Afghanistan.
"This was another horrific week for at least two families of soldiers deployed to Afghanistan," said retired Brig. Gen. Kimberly Field, former senior advisor to the commander of Operation Resolute Support. "Is it worth it."
Special Forces Soldiers killed in Afghanistan identified
The panel discussed a range of perceived options with the committee — leave Afghanistan now, place a small presence in the country indefinitely, or redefine our entire theory of victory. Of those three, Bridge said she favored the third.
"Military pressure is necessary...but it's insufficient," she said. "Tactical pressure will only work if the people with whom we are meeting are actually able to speak for the Taliban."
Moving into fiscal year 2021, the United States military has requested the lowest budget for Afghanistan operations in a decade. The Department of Defense's fiscal year 2021 request, released on Monday, asked for $14 billion for Operation Freedom Sentinel — the operation both soldiers killed on Saturday were supporting.
PHOTOS: Trump pays tribute to 2 soldiers killed in Afghanistan
In 2020, the operation requested $17 billion. In 2011, it asked for $114 billion.
This budget, the request explains, anticipates the fruition of the drawback in forces currently being negotiated as part of peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has said the personnel drawbacks — from 13,000 troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 — could come with or without a deal with the Taliban.
"I share every member's frustration here with the length of the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan," said retired Gen. John Keane, former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army. "But it is important to remind ourselves that this war with radical Islam came to us, and it is — at a minimum — a generational war with no easy or quick solutions."
—
Want to get more connected to the great stories and resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
