Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on President Obama’s announcement regarding U.S. military presence in Afghanistan:

“President Obama is right to delay the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and I fully support his decision to keep 9,800 troops in the country.

“At a time when the violent presence of the Taliban and terrorist groups are felt throughout the country, Afghan security forces are clearly in need of our capabilities and partnership. Simply put, Afghanistan is too unstable and the threat of a Taliban return is too great for our complete withdrawal.

“When it comes to women, the Taliban has a long history of abuse and violence, including stoning to death and throwing acid in the faces of girls going to school. And now, as the New York Times has reported, the Taliban has ‘relentlessly hounded’ women civil society leaders from Kunduz. Due to the Taliban’s threats, gone now are women who ran shelters for victims of domestic abuse and women educators—the very women Afghanistan needs to thrive.

“This should serve as a reminder that we cannot let up on the Taliban or let them have their way. I hope the president’s announcement today can help create conditions for a lasting political reconciliation that Afghanistan so desperately needs.”