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International News Title: Trump has made Afghanistan decision after 'rigorous' review: Mattis AMMAN, Reuters - President Donald Trump has made a decision on the United States' strategy for Afghanistan after a "sufficiently rigorous" review process, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday. However, Mattis did not provide details on when the White House would make an announcement or what the decision was on Afghanistan, where fighting still rages more than 15 years after U.S. forces invaded and overthrew a Taliban government. Soon after taking office in January, the Trump administration began a review of U.S. policy on Afghanistan, which has expanded into a broader South Asia review. "I am very comfortable that the strategic process was sufficiently rigorous and did not go in with a pre-set position," Mattis told reporters traveling with him aboard a military aircraft to Jordan. "The president has made a decision. As he said, he wants to be the one to announce it to the American people." After Trump met with his national security aides on Friday to review an array of options for Afghan strategy, the White House said no decision had been made on whether he would commit more troops to America's longest war. However, Trump tweeted on Saturday: "many decisions made, including on Afghanistan". U.S. officials have told Reuters that the president was expected to be briefed on options ranging from a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to a modest increase. One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Trump's top national security aides are backing adding between 3,000 and 5,000 troops and allowing them to embed with Afghan forces closer to combat. Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Kaine said lawmakers were waiting for the Trump administration to articulate its strategy on Afghanistan before making a judgment on troops. "The troop strength question is sort of cart before the horse," Kaine told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "The real question is what is our strategy? And then when you lay out the strategy, the troop strength question can kind of answer itself." U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told "Fox News Sunday" that he would oppose sending more troops. "I don't believe putting more American soldiers in Afghanistan is the answer," he said, adding that the goal should be to help Afghanistan work toward having and maintaining a stable government. Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson Center think tank in Washington, said an extended strategy review was somewhat positive because it showed that all options were being considered. However, recent gains by Taliban militants made it imperative that a strategy be announced soon. According to U.S. estimates, government forces control less than 60 percent of Afghanistan, with almost half the country either contested or under the control of the insurgents. "The Taliban insurgency has never been stronger... We need a strategy to address all this, and fast," Kugelman said. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 8. Of course the article is just a "teaser." So, lets wager Trump's decision. HE IS GOING TO WAR!!
#2. To: buckeroo (#1) Of course the article is just a "teaser." So, lets wager Trump's decision. HE IS GOING TO WAR!! I thought about what it would be also. I was thinking the opposite. I think he is withdrawing. Lets see who has better political instincts me or you.
#3. To: A K A Stone (#2) We need to put cash on this "wager." How much are ya willing to lose?
#4. To: buckeroo (#3) We need to put cash on this "wager." How much are ya willing to lose? Not practical on here buck. Besides you need your money for booze and pills.
#5. To: A K A Stone (#4) Chicken shit, you are afraid to lose one more dime on your well known LOST opinions.
#8. To: buckeroo, bomb Pakistan, *Neo-Lib Chickenhawk Wars* (#5) Trump will increase troop levels in Afghanistan, and bomb Pakistan. As the Iraq invasion was spread to Syria, Afganistan will be spread to Pakistan. It's the globalist neocon establishments way. Senator McCain, Hillary, Barack Obongo and John F'n Kerry approve.
Replies to Comment # 8. Trump will increase troop levels in Afghanistan, and bomb Pakistan. The man is so crass, he will initiate a war with anyone that suggests he needs a new coiffure.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 8. Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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