President Donald Trump's new defence secretary said that he may accelerate the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and Iraq, to fulfill Mr Trump's pledge to end US involvement in foreign wars.
However, Christopher Miller also warned that the "war isn't over" against terror group Al Qaeda, indicating that by bringing service personnel home the US would not compromise long-standing military goals.
Mr Miller was appointed on an acting basis by Mr Trump on November 9, two days after the president lost his re-election bid, making him the fourth defence secretary appointed during his four-year term.
In a memo to the Defence Department workforce, Mr Miller said: "This is the critical phase in which we transition our efforts from a leadership to supporting role. We are not a people of perpetual war – it is the antithesis of everything for which we stand and for which our ancestors fought. All wars must end."
Mr Miller detailed in the memo his respect and admiration for the US military institutions and for the sacrifices made by the thousands of US troops sent to the Middle East since 9/11, but said that "many are weary of war – I'm one of them. Now, it's time to come home".
Mr Miller did not mention specific US deployments, but he did refer to Al Qaeda, saying: "this war isn't over. We are on the verge of defeating Al Qaeda ... we must avoid our past strategic error of failing to see the fight through to the finish," Mr Miller wrote.
Mr Trump had previously vowed to bring all US troops stationed in Afghanistan back home by Christmas.
Former defence secretary Mark Esper had reduced the US presence in Afghanistan by two thirds since the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban. However, Mr Esper said the US will maintain a presence of about 4,500 troops, until the Taliban followed through on their word to decrease acts of violence.
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Company%20profile
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
