Trump Administration Announces Troop Cuts In Iraq, Afghanistan

Just 2,500 hundred American service members will remain in each country by the time of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, as part of a move that critics say will make the region less safe. NBC's Alice Barr reports.

(NBC News) — The Trump administration announced Tuesday the U.S. is pulling more troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq, leaving only 2,500 American service members in each country just days before Joe Biden will take his oath as president.

“They’ll defend our diplomats and deter our foes. By May it is the President’s hope that they will come home safely and in full,” said National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien.

Critics worry the hasty draw-down might again make the region a haven for terrorists.

“Let’s be clear, he is putting our troops in harm’s way by rapidly withdrawing them without a clear plan for how to do it,” says Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Still being denied access to the top-level intelligence briefings incoming administrations normally receive, President-elect Biden met Tuesday with diplomatic, intelligence and defense experts from outside the government.

Read more here.