South Asia Strategy

The Trump adiministration shifted from a timelines-based approach to a conditions-based approach when determining when the United States would begin to withdraw troops and reduce its support to the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF). In addition, the South Asia Strategy:

• Increased troop levels

• Expanded U.S. military offensive authorities (to include more airstrikes)

• Expanded the Train, Advise, and Assist mission for conventional forces below ANA corps and ANP zone levels.

References:

"New Afghanistan Strategy - Mattis & Dunford Testimony on Oct 3, 2017", SOF News, October 4,2017.