When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened his military brain trust Thursday on a classified videoconference for an update on Afghanistan, commanders had reason to feel positive.

Pentagon seeks to soften blow of US withdrawal from Afghanistan

In a hearing on Thursday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told the US Congress that the troop pullout has been proceeding "slightly" ahead of schedule in Afghanistan.

US troop pullout proceeding 'slightly' ahead of schedule in Afghanistan, US defence secretary Austin informs Congress

Amid reports of troop pullout from Afghanistan and Iraq, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned that "hasty" troop pullout from Afghanistan could have "high price". Also Read: Trump expected to order troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq Pentagon has reportedly announced US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq and reportedly issued a "warning order".

Hasty pullout of US & allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg

One thing is certain, the recent US military pullback from Saudi Arabia will fuel a brewing arms race in the Middle East at a time when the region, struggling with the public health and devastating economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, can least afford it.

US military drawdown in Saudi Arabia threatens to fuel arms race

Just hours after a leaked letter appeared in the media informing about American military pullout from Iraq, US defence secretary Mark Esper dismissed the report asserting that the country had no such plans.

US Defense chief Esper denies troop pullout from Iraq after leaked letter confusion

The United States has assured Afghanistan's government that any US troop pullout would not affect the combat abilities of remaining forces, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Wednesday.

Afghanistan's CEO says US has reassured on troop pullout

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