How US Plans to Deal with India & Pakistan over Afghanistan?

On November 28, 2017, the top US commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, announced that well over 1,000 military advisors would be deployed to the front lines during the upcoming fighting season. This deployment is part of a more aggressive strategy under the Trump administration to counter the Taliban insurgency, which Nicholson reported was lowering its ambitions due to increased losses. Under this plan, US troops will advise the Afghan army at the battalion level, known as Kandaks, to improve the delivery of air support, artillery, and medical evacuations.

The US has already tripled its air-delivered munitions in Afghanistan over the course of the year. Hundreds of additional soldiers are being trained to advise Afghan forces outside of major military bases, representing a shift to a more active combat role in the 16th year of the conflict.

The strategy also targets safe havens in neighboring Pakistan. US military officials accused Pakistan of harboring militant groups and failing to prevent terrorists from crossing the border into Afghanistan, despite making progress against internal threats. Nicholson emphasized that border control is a primary issue, noting that the US and Afghanistan have established standard operating procedures to address the border.

Due to these frustrations, the US has suspended or withheld some aid to Pakistan. The fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill earmarks an additional $350 million, but these funds cannot be released without a specific certification from the Pentagon.