The battle-hardened Army commander nominated to take over US military operations in Afghanistan warned senators Tuesday that if America leaves the fight too rapidly, there is a risk ISIS militants could merge with Al Qaeda and plan attacks against the US or its allies.
Lt. Gen. Scott Miller, a former Army Delta Force commando who heads US Joint Special Operations Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, if confirmed, he'll reassess the troop numbers in Afghanistan to see if the force size is right.
Any abrupt US withdrawal, he said, could trigger consequences similar to what happened in Iraq in 2015. Three years after the US pulled all troops out of Iraq after negotiations with the government there failed, the Iraqi military collapsed and many forces ran or surrendered to ISIS as it seized swaths of territory across the country.
"A disorderly and precipitous withdrawal would have negative effects on US national security," Lt. Gen. Miller said. "I would be concerned about ISIS and Al Qaeda's ability to merge and project external operations – one, because I know they want to, and I know they're constantly looking for that opportunity."
Lt. Gen. Miller is expected to be easily approved by the Senate. He would take control of a war that has dragged on for 17 years and led to frustration and pointed questions about America's path to success there.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said Lt. Gen. Miller will be taking over at a critical time. Even as the US has increased troop numbers and expanded programs to train and advise the Afghans. Reed said that independent assessments find few signs of progress and the Taliban continue to launch high-profile attacks.
"I understand our core goal in Afghanistan is to ensure terrorists can never again use Afghanistan as a safe haven to threaten the United States or other members of the international community," Lt. Gen. Miller said. "I believe military pressure is necessary to create the conditions for political reconciliation, so we enable the Afghans to build military capacity and they are better able to deny safe haven to terrorists."
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Read more
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Afghan Taliban angry at fighters' Eid ceasefire selfies
Comment: The Taliban ceasefire and killing of Fazlullah still leave a long security wishlist
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Lt. Gen. Miller said that he believes there has been progress on the core objective of preventing Al Qaeda and ISIS from gaining sanctuary in Afghanistan and preventing external attacks against the US.
"I have seen firsthand the terrorist threats coming from Afghanistan, and I know what's at stake," he told the committee.
A graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of numerous war tours, Lt. Gen. Miller said he has served about four years in Afghanistan. He said he never expected he would return there, 17 years after the conflict began.
As a member of the Army's elite Delta Force, Miller fought in Somalia in 1993 during the deadly battle made famous by the book and film "Black Hawk Down." He was wounded in battle in Somalia and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a "V," signifying heroism under fire. He also was wounded in Iraq in 2002, and received a second Purple Heart.
If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Miller would be promoted to a full general. He would replace Gen. John Nicholson, who has led coalition forces in Afghanistan for more than two years and has overseen the latest increase in US forces.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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