US seeks continued aid for Afghan army
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. is lobbying its allies to continue financial assistance for the Afghan army, which is now faced with a resurgent Taliban.
Richard Olson, the Obama administration's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, met Friday with NATO's principal decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council.
Olson told reporters afterward, "We think it's really important for the alliance to continue to invest in Afghanistan."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said the U.S. hopes to win commitments that would allow foreign assistance for Afghanistan's security forces to continue in 2018-2020 at the same levels NATO leaders agreed to in 2012.
According to NATO, contributions to a special NATO-Afghan National Army Trust Fund to date amount to $1.38 billion. In addition, NATO allies and partner nations have confirmed another $450 million per year in funding pledges through 2017.