‘Afghanistan part of US greater plot’

The US reluctance to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan is part of a scheme to expand its hegemony across the Middle East in an attempt to protect Israel’s interests, a former American official tells Press TV.

Rodney Martin, a former US congressional staffer, made the comments in response to US President Barack Obama’s recent remarks about the likelihood of Washington’s continued military presence in Afghanistan.

“This is all part of a greater scheme that is well-publicized, called Project for New American Century, to secure basing rights all through the Middle East,” Martin said in a Monday interview with Press TV.

He argued that the project mainly takes into account the Israeli interests rather than those of the US, noting that it is devised “to make sure that the America can bully other nations where they do not have interests such as Iran.”

During his surprise trip to Afghanistan on Sunday, Obama said US’ longest war will be over by the end of this year, but Washington will likely maintain its military presence in the war-weary country.

Obama said he would soon announce his decision about the US military presence in Afghanistan.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country, despite the presence of tens of thousands of US-led troops.

At least 2,181 US service members have lost their lives during the nearly 13-year war in Afghanistan.