US ‘exploring keeping’ counterterrorism troops in Afghanistan

Biden administration looking at a deal where the Taliban would allow the force to stay in Afghanistan, says US lawmaker.

The Biden administration is looking to keep US troops in Afghanistan past a May 1 deadline while exploring a deal in which the Taliban would allow a US counterterrorism force to remain as they confront their ISIL (ISIS) foes, a US legislator has said. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith’s comments provided new details of US President Joe Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan peace process, which he inherited from the Trump administration. The state department referred questions to the White House. The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.