McCaul Statement on Afghanistan

Statement

Congressman Michael McCaul, Republican Leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Afghanistan peace process and reaffirming the need for a withdrawal to be based on conditions on the ground.

"For the sake of the Afghan people, it is essential that the ongoing peace process be given the best chance for success. A premature U.S. withdrawal would not only jeopardize the Afghan government's ability to negotiate, but would endanger U.S. counterterrorism interests. The U.S.-Taliban agreement is conditions-based for a reason -- the Taliban cannot be permitted to not fulfill their commitments while we fulfill ours. We need to ensure a residual force is maintained for the foreseeable future to protect U.S. national and homeland security interests and to help secure peace for Afghanistan."

Source