US Troops in Afghanistan: Strategy Modification in Post-Bin Laden Era

　　ABSTRACT: The US President’s announcement in June about the retreat of 33000 US soldiers from Afghanistan in the next 14 months indicates an end of a major US war on terror and brings about modification of US strategy in Afghanistan-Pakistan region. The strategy modification is characterized by shift from the battleground to negotiation tables, and shift from large-scale attack to precise strikes. At the same time, the US will try to legalize its military presence in Afghanistan and make it a permanent stay, catering to demands from both long-term national strategy of the US and survival of Hamid Karzai’s regime. The strategy modification will have significant impact on South and Central Asia, as well as on national security strategies of Iran, Russia and China.