The Afghan government has delayed signing an agreement with the United States about how many, if any, US troops will remain in the country after the end of 2014. According to a September 14 article from Xinhua news service, a Pakistani official relates that there are currently "over 100,000 U.S. contractors engaged in various security and other related responsibilities for both Afghanistan and Pakistan," and the US intends to keep 20,000 troops there in nine bases [1]. Although the war has faded from the headlines due to its longevity, there are ongoing U.S. airstrikes[2] (including drone strikes [3]), night raids [4], and firefights which kill both Afghan militants and civilians. Even while Iraq's government expelled most US troops from the country in late 2011, thousands of contractors, diplomats and troops remain in that country guarding the world's largest embassy. The US is building smaller "diplomatic outposts" in Afghanistan [5] and plans to change "Operation Enduring Freedom" into "Operation Resolute Support" come 2015 [6].

Also, on Saturday, October 5, the Iraq Affinity Group and PPRC are working with other groups to present a forum on the impacts of the US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan examining the human, financial and political tolls the 12-year-long war has taken. The forum, titled "No More Afghanistans--The Cost of Endless War" will begin at 7:00 PM at First Unitarian Church's Fuller Hall (in the basement), at 1011 SW 12th. The forum is expected to include a discussion with Afghan peace activists who are in Kabul.

For more information, if your organization would like to cosponsor or endorse, or to get involved, please contact the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group at 503-236-3065 or email us at iraq@ pjw.info and check the website at http://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html . The rally is also endorsed by Freedom Socialist Party.

[1] U.S. to keep 20,000 troops in Afghanistan: Pakistani senator (Xinhua 9/14)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-09/14/c_125386855.htm
[2] Ten civilians killed in NATO airstrike: Afghan officials (AFP 9/8)
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/ten-civilians-killed-in-nato-airstrike-afghan-officials- 415919
[3] US assassination drone raid kills 5 in northeast Afghanistan (Press TV 8/22)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/22/319912/us-drone-raid-kills-in-afghanistan/
[4] Afghans protest against US night raids in Baghlan Province (Press TV 8/21)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/21/319836/afghans-protest-against-us-night- raids/
[5] U.S. reducing plans for large civilian force in post-2014 Afghanistan (Washington Post 12/5/12)
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12- 05/world/35625823_1_afghanistan-sarah-chayes-government-civilians
[6] U.S. 'Air Combat Troops' Expected to Stay Post-2014 (Washington Times 9/9)
http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/11859-us-troops-expected-to-stay-afghanistan-post- 2014

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