Grey. They say its held to its enemies and good news from china about a possible covert 900 that seen as cases in europe and elsewhere. So im going to go with the sport as brazil make the best start to a world cup, qualifying campaign, the one victory against your reply to the news. The u. S. Says its pulling out additional troops from afghanistan and iraq by mid january. Thatll leave around 2 and a half 1000 soldiers in each country just before President Trump leaves office. But senior figures in the military and Trumps Republican Party say its a mistake and a risky move. Alan fisher has more from the white house. Donald trump campaigned in 2016 and ending americas wars abroad. In the final days of his presidency, hes acting to cut numbers in both iraq and afghanistan. From 4500 in afghanistan, the number will drop to 2500. It will be the same number in iraq where there are currently more than 3000 personnel. This is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives supported by the American People and does not equate to a change in u. S. Policy or objectives. In the stand is the us is longest war. Its lasted 1000 years, more than 2300. 00. Soldiers have died. Its cost more than 193000000000. 00. Earlier this year, the u. S. With the help of qatar, negotiated a deal with the Afghan Taliban to bring a permanent cease fire and remove all Foreign Forces out of the country by mean next year. In october, donald trump tweeted he wanted all u. S. Service personnel home by christmas, december 21st, when hes leaving biden is something that again, in the long run is probably where we would have ended up with eventually anyway. But the timing is seen as very rash and dangerous. Donald trump has a nose troop withdrawals in the past. Famously tweeting in 2018 that he wanted all u. S. Service personnel out of syria. That announcement led in part to the resignation of then defense secretary jim mattis. The military slow roll of that idea then, but its clear that donald trump wants the troops out. And on the timetable, hes unknowns. But the decision has brought criticism, even from his own side. President barack obama pull troops out of iraq just before the end of his time in office, ordering an agreement and a deadline set by his republican predecessor. But republicans claim that move led to the growth of i saw a risk one, senator says, trump is taking no other to extremely important here in the next couple of months. Not to have any earth shaking changes with regard to defense and foreign policy. I think a brochure that is draw down a new there. Afghanistan or iraq would be a mistake. The head of need to has warned of a quick uncoordinated withdrawal. Seeing it risks lives. But its clear, donald trump wants to leave office, claiming another Campaign Promise has been delivered. Aljazeera at the white house reaction from baghdad. The office of the Prime Minister here in iraq published a statement saying that the Prime Minister spoke to secretary of state mike pompei o over the phone and that the 2 sides continued to cooperate in the future. But that the troops were being reduced in light of the growing capabilities of Iraqi Security forces to address terrorism in the country. And of course, eisel was officially declare defeat in 2017. But the coalition has still been engaged in fighting an insurgency and trying to contain sleeper cells that remain operational in the country. But of course, its much more complicated than that. If we go back to earlier this year, there was this Parliament Vote to oust all foreign troops. And that vote came in response to the u. S. Killing of iranian general customs from him on the and other iraqi officials here in baghdad. And weve also seen a surge in rocket attacks on u. S. Interests, and it was in that context that the 2 sides renegotiated u. S. Military presence, beginning the drawdown from 1st 5000. 00 troops earlier this year to 3000. 00 troops as of september. So this additional drawdown is not that significant in light of the reductions that have already taken place. But what remains to be seen is the impact on the u. S. Led coalition here because the u. S. It provides the logistical backbone. It provides the force protection to other Coalition Countries and it may lead other coalition members, for example, from European Countries to reconsider their presence here in country. And it also may prompt a further transfer of responsibilities to the nato mission here, which has already taken on some institutional capability building. Not all trump was fired his chief of Cyber Security just days after he rejected the president s claims of electoral fraud. Chris krebs and his agency are responsible for Election Security. He said the poll was the most secure in american history. Trump accused him of making inaccurate statements. All trumps legal challenges to the Election Results have suffered another setback. Pennsylvanias Supreme Court rejected his campaigns arguments that the Republican Party observers did not get close enough access during vote counting. President elect joe biden is projected to have won the state. But trump is contesting the result there and in other battleground states. Evan renz rick is a u. S. Foreign policy and assistant professor in International Relations at the nyang yang. Technological University Joins me now from singapore. Good to have you with us on the program. Again, mr. As nic, obviously 2 issues, weve got the whole withdrawal of troops going on. And of course thats related to whats going on with President Trump. The warning bells are ringing about sort of trumps decision to bring troops home. But how politically explosive is this decision . So close to the departure from the white house and with news of several setbacks in legal cases of election fraud. Well, i think its politically explosive, insofar as trumps relationship to elected legislature, legislators in his own party is concerned. I dont think its politically explosive in terms of public sentiment. I dont think theres any public appetite at this stage in the game, in the u. S. General public to be continuing to wage wars in afghanistan and iraq. So i think that a lot of this will be inside baseball type friction between trump and these republican colleagues in congress. And it is one of his policy you might say promises. The reality is that the returning troops would perhaps only number around about 1000. 00, but the real issue perhaps, is that the level of a u. S. Involvement and presence in afghanistan for example, is the lowest since they were ever deployed in 2001. And thats where mitch mcconnell, the House Majority leader in the senate, to sort of raising his eyebrows and raising his voice. Theres no question that these withdrawals will further undermine americas military position in afghanistan and in iraq. But the larger question is, how important are the military deployments to u. S. National security interests . And i would argue that the importance of the middle east and central asia receded as the post 911 war on terror transitions to a new era of Great Power Competition between the United States and china on one hand and russia on the other. So i think that the, you know, the u. S. War effort in both of these places is deteriorating. But the question is whether the game is really work the candle at this point. So if we turn it sort of slightly towards the politics, it seems that trump is also trying to make policy difficult at home and abroad for the incoming by administration. He is, hes doing everything he can to sabotage matters for president elect biden. When he steps into the oval office and i think this is just a product of trumps own personal animus in his placement of his own ego. Ego needs ahead of the needs of the country. So its just not yet another unfortunate sign of the scent of a very long running trend now for the past 4 years. Where does the president go now . Weve got him firing his sort of chief Election Security official for him saying that there was no fraud. Its one of the safest elections in american history. And then weve got these legal challenges by the g. O. P. And the Republican Party really just being thrown out of court every time you might say you switch on the television, where does this leave trump . He is taking it right down to the wire, isnt a he really is hes becoming more reckless and the consequences of both of these moves. I mean it, in normal circumstances, you would imagine a president would, would be quite happy to hear that there was no foreign interference in the president ial election. And who would reward a bureaucrat that was able to help guarantee the legitimacy of that election. But this is donald trump, were talking about. So this is a whole different type of beast. I mean, tainting the election as weve discussed, you know, in the weeks preceding the vote. That does have a detrimental effect, does it not on the reputation of the United States internationally. How its viewed as being, you know, one of the largest democracies in the world, having a free and fair election, and a safe and secure transition of power. You know, every 4 years, these accusations of fraud, this tainting of the vote, makes perhaps international capitals, very nervous about how they should deal with the United States in the future. A good part of Americas International interest derives from its longstanding position as the worlds oldest democracy. And the, the allure that the United States generates around the world is resolved to bits, a liberal democratic constitution and little process is invaluable. And so trump is basically undermining american soft power in the eyes of the world. And thats a critical asset that the United States is going to be going to happen. Its arsenal as it sort of enters into geopolitical competition with an authoritarian regime in china. So trump is undermining american democracy, that really is undermining one chandimal source of american power. So its good to speak to mr. Resnick, every resident from Nanyang Technological University in singapore. Thanks for your time now, irans foreign minister says to iran is ready to fully return to its commitments under the 2050 nuclear deal. If u. S. President elect joe biden, liff sanctions, javid zarif told iranian media that biden would swiftly lift sanctions by signing 3 executive orders. He also says to our teheran, is ready to discuss a u. S. Return to the landmark accord, which donald trump withdrew from 2 years ago. You can join, one thing can be done automatically, america will implement its commitments as part of the Un Security Council resolution. And we would fulfill our commitments in the j. C. This needs no negotiation or conditions and its feasible. Englishman, i get it from if mr. Biden becomes president hed be capable of lifting all sanctions. If he doesnt, it means he doesnt want to. If europeans government says to graham forces are destroying bridges in an attempt to stop the militarys advance to their main city. This week, the Prime Minister or the nouns to what he called the final offensive to end. The conflict in the region is a main base for the 2, great Peoples Liberation front, known as the t. P. Ls to go in. Fighters have refused to comply with government demands to put down their weapons. Or both sides are ignoring calls for mediation from the un and other foreign leaders. And as the conflict goes on, more civilians are fleeing around 27000. 00. People have crossed into the bordering nation of sudan. Refugees who are now arriving and the piece of for housing and per day are coming out of it. Really scared of the raid or with the stories saying that there have been fleeing heavy fighting. And that is not sign of the fighting to stop right now. So the fear is as the fighting continues, we could see more refugees arriving the number of 27000 or more. And that is what we have registered. It will reach 30000 and beyond. Lets cross over to our correspondent. Hes in the capital at this mohammed. I mean, with communication lines disrupted to the public at large across ethiopia. I mean, what do we know about the Current Situation now in the north of the country . Well sir, yes. Fighting is going on. All particularly on the western part of the region where the fighting has been more sed, intense, ever since it started, as you said, they are up to 4 bridges have been destroyed by the Peoples Liberation front. Those are the bridges leading to the city of as we were coming back from yesterday, we saw vehicles, trucks cutting bridges, which we believe if you have National Defense forces, ones to use to place the bridges, the top been destroyed this morning, we walk up to a very strong statement from the brits own. Get rid of him because the head of the ticket, a Peoples Liberation front of them, destruction. Thats fighting the government in a disobey, but he says that theyre not going to nail down their look good to sort of end up under will fight to the last month defending the city of mckinney and every part off to get a return. He says, he says the people in the ticker who john have been really supportive of them, including women dont need to jewelry and other valuables to support their cause. So all we are seeing a lot of claims of victory also on both sides. But what we know is that the Prime Minister, ahmed has, issued a statement saying that this is now the decisive and final face of the fighting. For the updates mohammed out there for send out a sub a thank you. Well still ahead here on the aljazeera news when people dont do it as we expect, were going to do something that after a 4 year investigation, australia prepares to release a report on alleged war crimes committed in afghanistan. Also cleaning up after hurricane nyota. The storm weakens after causing major devastation in parts of Central America and spain still in germany with 6 goals to make the last 4 of the nations leisure. Well have those details and support people in South Australia are beginning. Are being urged to be patient as the states begins a 6 day lockdown to combat the corona virus outbreak. 22. 00 new cases of whats been described as highly contagious strain of covert 19 have been detected. Schools and nonessential. Businesses must close and residents are restricted to their homes. The states premier has described it as a Circuit Breaker locked down to control community infections. Well, theres been good news about several covert 1000 vaccines in recent weeks, and now a chinese vaccine is the latest to show some success jury trials. Its only in the early stages of testing, but researchers say the vaccine, no, as corona vac could provide sufficient protection against the virus. Researchers believe the vaccine could be suitable for emergency use during the pandemic. Well, the impact of corona virus continues to be felt across europe. On tuesday, the u. K. Reported almost 600 deaths the highest daily number since may. It also recorded more than 20000 new infections. This, as the British Government comes under fire for its spending on Safety Equipment after a watchdog found companies recommended by politicians who are more likely to be given, covert 19 contracts will get more there shortly with paul brennan is standing by in london, but 1st lets cross over to get more on the chinese vaccine with trini, youre in beijing and khatri. What more can tell us about this vaccine . Well, sale china has 5 vaccines in total, which are undergoing final stage phase 3 trials. But the clear front runner here is a vaccine thats been developed by the company signed of that vi otec called corona vac. Now this vaccine works by including an inactivated form of the virus. That is a virus that has been chemically killed in a lab. And that will be injected into a subject and ideally produce an immune response in somebody who is receiving it. Now, according to an article, published in the medical journal lancet this about seen had some success in mid stage trials. This is based on study and a study of about 700 people, although the article didnt say what the success rate of the vaccine was. Now that was done that was accumulated in april and may instance then quite a bit has happened with the son of that vaccine. 1st of all they began phase 3, final stage trials overseas. Now those trials clip we conducted here in china because of the lower number of corvet 19 numbers, but theyve since began in indonesia, bangladesh, and in brazil. Now in brazil, in october there was a bit of a controversy that trial was halted temporarily because one of the volunteers, subjects was said to have died. But after an investigation Authorities Say that that death was not linked to the vaccine. And that trial in brazil has since resumed. Secondly, in july, the government actually launched an Emergency Program for hundreds of thousands of diplomats, of the government workers, medical workers, state owned enterprise employees to receive the son of that vaccine. So since july, at least half a 1000000 have received that vaccine already under this Emergency Program. And thirdly, a south east chinese province called judge in september, started up a