Huntsman Calls for “Safe But Rapid” Withdrawal

Republican says it’s time for "focused counter-terror effort which requires significantly fewer boots on the ground than the President discussed tonight."

Statement by Jon Huntsman on the President's Afghanistan Announcement

Jon Huntsman released the following statement about the President's announcement regarding troop levels in Afghanistan:

"With America mired in three expensive conflicts, we have a generational opportunity to reset our position in the world in a way that makes sense for our security as well as our budget.

The war in Afghanistan is an asymmetrical war, and our approach ought to adjust accordingly. Our troops have done everything we've asked them to. They've routed the Taliban, dismantled Al Qaeda, and facilitated democratic elections.

Now it is time we move to a focused counter-terror effort which requires significantly fewer boots on the ground than the President discussed tonight.

We need a safe but rapid withdrawal which encourages Afghans to assume responsibility, while leaving in place a strong counter intelligence and special forces effort proportionate to the threat. The War on Terror is being fought against a global enemy, and it is critical that we have the resources to fight them wherever they're found."