On November 16, it was revealed to the public that President Trump has ordered a significant amount of U.S. soldiers to be brought back home. Troops will be cut in larger numbers in Afghanistan, and a smaller number will be pulled out of Iraq. It has been a goal of the President to end these long wars, that seem to be going almost nowhere.

President Trump has expressed his frustration with the presence of the United States military in these Middle Eastern countries. The military has been present in the region in response to the tragic 9/11 attacks.

There are about 4,500 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and more than 3,000 in Iraq, at this time. The expected plan would leave 2,500 troops in each of these countries by mid-January . Military leaders were informed that an executive order would be coming soon, but has not been given to commanders as of today.

Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has warned against the consequences of leaving these regions. He compared it to situations such as President Obama’s decision to withdraw from Iraq, and the departure of Saigon during the controversial  Vietnam War. McConnell made it clear that he wanted to avoid a “humiliating” situation.

Many Americans have expressed their frustration with the military presence in the Middle East. Citizens find it unnecessary now that the U.S. has eliminated many top terrorist organization leaders. It was reported in 2007 that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost the American taxpayers a total of $2.4 trillion by 2017. Having little support from the public, the government is almost forced to withdraw from the region.