Obama’s Afghanistan Plan and the Realities of Withdrawal Read more: Obama’s Afghanistan Plan and the Realities of Withdrawal | STRATFOR

By Nathan HughesU.S. President Barack Obama announced June 22 that the long process of drawing down forces in Afghanistan would begin on schedule in July. Though the initial phase of the drawdown appears limited, minimizing the tactical and operational impact on the ground in the immediate future, the United States and its allies are now beginning the inevitable process of removing their forces from Afghanistan. This will entail the risk of greater Taliban battlefield successes.

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Cultivating Romania’s agri potential

With difficulties in accessing loans, no state-run research centres, unhelpful agricultural policies and almost no voices speaking up for Romanian interests in European forums, the local agricultural scene could fall 20 years behind against the European market if urgent measures aren’t taken. Over 130 decision makers from state institutions joined Romania’s top farmers and landowners to debate the pressing.

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