Nato supports Barack Obama Afghan move

The Nato agreed on Wednesday to hold onto its broad geographic layout of bases in Afghanistan, a move that could make it easier for the United States to keep more troops there as Kabul struggles with a resurgent Taliban threat.

President Barack Obama has planned to slash the number of US forces in Afghanistan from about 9,800 to 5,500 before he leaves office in 2017, despite calls from former commanders and envoys to halt the drawdown.

Nato defence ministers gathered in Brussels signalled a willingness to stay, with Britain’s Michael Fallon saying flatly at a news conference: “This is the wrong time to walk away from Afghanistan.”

He warned that any collapse of the country would send thousands more migrants heading to Europe at a time when the continent already faces uncontrolled migration flows. Mr Fallon said US defence secretary Ash Carter told the ministers during closed-door talks that US troop levels were again being reviewed.

Mr Carter declined to confirm that at a news conference, saying it was “not a topic of discussion.” He said Mr Obama would be willing to consider security conditions in Afghanistan and their impact on force levels later in the year. “I expect he will do that again as the year goes on,” Mr Carter said.

A US official said Mr Carter did not tell Nato allies during the closed-door discussions that troop levels were being re-examined.

Mr Obama has shown a willingness in the past to alter his plans in Afghanistan and last week approved giving the US military greater ability to accompany and enable Afghan forces in offensive operations, including carrying out airstrikes.