Analysis: Afghanistan pullout spurs EU to revive rapid reaction force

Belgian army Special Forces are seen during the Black Blade military exercise involving several European Union countries and organized by the European Defense Agency at Florennes airbase, Belgium November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman

LJUBLJANA, Sept 1 (Reuters) – The chaotic withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan has shown that the European Union needs to intervene militarily in a crisis without relying on U.S. troops, senior EU officials say.