US President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden on Thursday appeared in their final debate ahead of November 3rd presidential election where they challenged each other on key issues, including coronavirus, climate change and national security, but they made no mention of Afghanistan.

The only issue that was slightly mentioned was Russian bounties to the Taliban to kill US troops in Afghanistan about which Biden said countries who interfere in US affairs “will pay the price” if he wins the election.

Afghan experts said this shows that Trump and Biden have similar on the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

“The reason that Afghanistan was not mentioned in the debate is that the two candidates have similar views regarding Afghanistan,” said Tarek Farhadi, a former presidential adviser and analyst based in the US.

“The answer to the question that why Afghanistan was not mentioned in the debate is that their strategy for Afghanistan is already in place. It does not make a difference whether Trump wins the election or Biden,” said Mirza Mohammad Katawazi, an MP.

Mohammad Mohaqiq, the chairman of the People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, at an event in Kabul on Friday said “nothing” will happen if US fully withdraws its troops from the country.

“The US is here for the past 20 years. We have neither invited them nor we like them,” Mohaqiq said.

The United States signed an agreement with the Taliban in Doha on February 29. Based on the agreement the US has promised to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan within 14 months after the deal.