BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement today in response to President Obama’s announcement that he will maintain current troop levels in Afghanistan:

            “The President has made a difficult decision, but it is the right one,” Senator King said. “Over the past few years, with the assistance of U.S. and coalition military forces, the new unity Afghan government has worked to bring greater stability to the country and forge significant progress in improving the lives of Afghan citizens. To reduce our forces in order to meet an arbitrary deadline would have been a mistake and could have jeopardized that progress. I am encouraged by the President’s decision and will continue to evaluate how the U.S. can play a constructive role in Afghanistan that also supports our shared security interests.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King has consistently advocated for the U.S. to withdraw its military forces in Afghanistan on a conditions-based timeline as the unity government, led by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, continues to implement its reform agenda and make progress that is in the interest of all Afghans.

In October 2014, Senator King traveled to Afghanistan where he was one of the first members of Congress to meet with President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah. During the meeting, they discussed economic and security challenges and explored ways the U.S. could work with the Afghanistan government to sustain progress. 

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