Stars and Stripes, 31 January 2019
In this article about the latest SIGAR figures on the relation of government and Taleban territorial control, AAN’s Thomas Ruttig is quoted as saying:
Despite the most recent data, Thomas Ruttig, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, did not believe the security situation was near a tipping point.
But, “a full withdrawal of U.S. troops … linked with a significant drop of financial resources” could bring that moment near, he said.
“If soldiers, policemen, auxiliary forces — ‘militias’ — are not paid, many might look for other funders,” Ruttig said. “And Afghan armed factions are well known for their quick and unprincipled shift of alliances.”
Revisions:
This article was last updated on 9 Mar 2020
