Pentagon announces troop cuts in Afghanistan, Iraq

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller announced plans to reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan saying it fulfills President Donald Trump's pledge to bring forces home when conditions were met that kept U.S. and allies safe.

The new plan which will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in President Donald Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favor of a a slower, more methodical pullout.

Speaking from the Pentagon briefing room, Miller said the planned drawdown is "consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives, supported by the American people and does not equate to a change in U.S. policy or objectives."

Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office Jan. 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish.

The withdrawal plan, which will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan from more than 4,500 to 2,500, and in Iraq from about 3,000 to 2,500, has already been greeted coolly by some Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, and a somewhat uncharacteristically blunt critique from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

(Pic credit: AP)