“The government of Afghanistan must carry their share of the military, political, and economic burden … our patience is not unlimited.”
On Monday evening, President Trump presented a highly anticipated speech that addressed the future of the involvement of the United States in Afghanistan. Leading up to the nationally televised address, it was rumored that the President was going to announce an increase in the number of troops on the ground in Afghanistan. The rumored announcement of troop level increases did not occur, with the President saying that “We will not talk about numbers of troops or plans for other military activities.” Here is what he did discuss:
A Reversal of Position on Withdrawal
Before becoming President, Trump had a long history of criticizing the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, calling it a “complete waste” and urging an immediate withdrawal of all troops. On Monday however, President Trump revealed that he had since changed his opinion:
“My original instinct was to pull out and historically, I like following my instincts. But all my life, I have heard decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office. In other words, when you are President of the United States.”
President Trump did directly address his frustrations with the Afghanistan war in general, acknowledging that with seventeen years of combat, it is America’s longest war in history. “I share the American people’s frustration. I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money, and most importantly, lives, trying to rebuild countries in our own image instead of pursuing our security interests.”
“Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win.”
The President stated that he had “studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle.” He pointed to Iraq, where he said we had “hastily and mistakenly” withdrawn. “The vacuum we created by leaving too soon gave safe haven for ISIS to spread, to grow, recruit, and launch attacks,” President Trump said. “We cannot repeat in Afghanistan the mistake our leaders made in Iraq.”
Accountability for Pakistan
President Trump addressed the “immense” security threats we face in Afghanistan and the surrounding regions. The President then went on to say, “For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror.” He also addressed the risks involved with both India and Pakistan being nuclear-armed states saying that “in Afghanistan and Pakistan, America’s interests are clear. We must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America.”
Trump called Pakistan a “valued partner” in the past, but said that “we can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations.” The President announced that it was “time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace.” The cost of not doing so was made explicitly clear, with Trump stating that “we have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars, at the same time they are housing the very terrorists we are fighting. But that will have to change. And that will change immediately.”
“We Will Win”
President Trump was giving his speech in front of a military audience at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. He emphasized that he was committed to giving America’s warfighters the necessary tools and rules of engagement to ensure mission success. “Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win.” While President Trump said that he would not discuss numbers or strategy, he did claim that “victory will have a clear definition.”
He went on to define this victory as “attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge.” The President also emphasized that “our commitment is not unlimited and our support is not a blank check. The government of Afghanistan must carry their share of the military, political, and economic burden … our patience is not unlimited.”
