United States President Donald Trump announced his administration's Afghanistan policy today and stated that the number of troops to the country will be increased. In a rather welcome twist, Trump also went on to criticize United States' ally Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists and also specified that the sole purpose of the entire military exercise will be to eliminate terrorists. The president does not want to Build A Nation.
A new approach
Over the years, Donald Trump has been quite vocal about his opposition to the presence of U.S.
troops in Afghanistan and had called it a drain on the country's resources. However, he accepted that the facts on the ground are quite different and so it is not a surprise that Trump has devised a new approach to Afghanistan. Trump delivered his address from the military base in Arlington, Virginia and also pointed out that the United States would no longer try to build a nation but instead try to finish off the terrorists as soon as possible.
He said, “Our troops will fight to win. From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over the country, and stopping mass terror attacks against Americans before they emerge.” According to a report in the Washington Post, 4000 more troops will be sent to Afghanistan to execute Donald Trump's plans.
However, it needs to be pointed out that the president did not specify the number of troops that will be sent to Afghanistan.
A timely intervention?
Trump's new policy for Afghanistan has been in the works for a long time and according to the Washington Post, the Pentagon had briefed the president about the continuing rise of the terror threat in the region over the recent past.
The Pentagon had specifically called for an increase in troops in Afghanistan following the continued setbacks of the country's security forces in skirmishes against terror groups like al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
One of the key takeaways from the address was Donald Trump's statement about the United States' long term ally and Afghanistan's neighbor Pakistan.
He pointed out that Pakistan must do more so that terrorists no longer find safe haven within its territory. He upped the ante further when he urged Pakistan's arch enemy India to a play a more influential role in the region by boosting Afghanistan's economic development.
