Afghanistan

The American troop presence will decline in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500, and in Iraq from 3,000 to 2,500. Senior military leaders reportedly oppose the move.

The president dismisses the allegation as politically motivated. The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to receive a briefing on the matter Wednesday.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer led Democrats to a White House briefing on reported payments by Russia to militants in Afghanistan to target U.S. troops.

Lawmakers in both parties demand to learn more from the Trump administration after press reports suggested that Russian operatives have paid Afghan insurgents to target U.S. forces.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani now says he will free 1,500 Taliban prisoners starting this week and 3,500 more during yet-to-start peace talks with the Taliban.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted the decision, calling it a "breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution." Human rights groups are applauding the move.

The strike followed President Trump's call with the Taliban, during which he says they agreed "we don't want violence." Still, the group has led a wave of attacks since signing the landmark deal.

The quasi cease-fire was hammered out during protracted negotiations in Qatar that began in 2018 and could ultimately lead to a significant reduction in U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The step is meant to serve as an initial confidence-building measure and would last for seven days. A more formal agreement could be signed in the coming weeks.

The death of an American Green Beret on Monday raised the tally of U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan to 20 this year, the highest since combat operations officially ended in 2014.