The United States announced that several thousand U.S. troops will stay in the recently conquered town of Marjah. The town was the focus of a recent offensive that cleared the town of Taliban forces. The U.S. troops will be accompanied by more than one thousand Afghan troops who hope to keep the Taliban forces from returning.
The offensive and its aftermath is part of the “clear, hold, and build” program that is being implemented in an effort to bring about Afghan government control to the town. The Taliban is still fighting back and are setting roadside bombs in an effort to slow supply lines to the town. I hope this strategy will pay off for the thousands of Afghans who want a proper government.