For Public Consumption: Requirement for US Soldiers in Afghanistan to Obtain a Warrant Largely Symbolic
Pursuant to the deal reached by Kabul and Washington for drawing down the war in Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers are now statutorily required to obtain a warrant before entering Afghan homes. - The Obama administration, desperate to come to an agreement and extricate itself from the failed war, reluctantly agreed to Karzai’s demand to have greater Afghan control and a judge’s permission over night raids, a central military policy throughout the war. But earlier indications suggested this development in policy was not was it sounded like. Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby told reporters in April that ““It’s not about the U.S. ceding responsibilities to the Afghans.” Kirby said, contrary to reports, that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will not hold “a veto” over future night raids and although U.S. forces will need a warrant going forward, “In practical terms, not much has changed.”