You say we're not going to "cut and run" because we'll still be leaving troops behind.
This left very few troops to actively oppose the French forces.
State TV reported that police also pulled back to leave troops on the streets.
The United States has played a diminished role since its troops left in mid-2004.
We will leave troops and stocks of weapons behind to deter the Iraqis, say the diplomats.
By next summer, the US will still have 68,000 troops left in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon's argument that this would leave troops exposed on the battlefield is a diversion.
Which left hiring troops as the only viable option, if troops were needed for a campaign against anyone.
You say that removing 40K troops from 140K by the end of the year is going to leave too few troops?
As it is, the Malwa expedition had to skirt the town and leave troops to guard against a sally.