MAY 18, 2020
President Trump greets troops during a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. – Alex Brandon/AP/file
President Trump on Monday declared that the United States had “never really fought to win” in Afghanistan, except early in the nearly two decade-long war, making a sweeping statement about military efforts as thousands of U.S. troops continue to serve, and sometimes die, in counter insurgent operations there.
In a series of Twitter posts, the president pushed back against a May 17 Wall Street Journal editorial cautioning against abrupt decisions regarding Afghanistan, where U.S. officials are seeking to facilitate a peace deal between Taliban militants and the Afghan government ahead of a planned reduction in U.S. forces.
“Could someone please explain to them that we have been there for 19 years,” Trump wrote. “The Taliban is mixed about even wanting us out. They make a fortune $$$ out of having us stay, and except at the beginning, we never really fought to win.”
“We are more of a police force than the might military that we are, especially now as rebuilt. No, I am not acting impulsively!” he said.
Since the war began in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, more than three-quarters of a million Americans have deployed to Afghanistan, and more than 2,300 U.S. troops have died. During President Barack Obama’s troop surge, about 100,000 military personnel were arrayed across the country, fighting to win remote areas from Taliban control.
Today, the military mission is focused on pummeling militants with airstrikes and supporting Afghan forces in an effort to induce the Taliban to embrace political talks outlined in a Feb. 29 U.S.-Taliban deal. That deal halted U.S. attacks on the Taliban and outlined a path toward an American departure.
Officials have declined to give an exact number for the U.S. force, who serve there as part of a NATO-led coalition, but say the number is being brought down to 8,600 this spring as an initial step in the recent agreement.
While officials have acknowledged the war has been locked in an extended stalemate, and that many hard-won battlefield gains have not been sustained, Trump’s commentary was unusual for a commander in chief. Typically, presidents have heaped praise on military efforts no matter their outcome.
At other moments, Trump has also lauded the military effort in Afghanistan, including during a surprise Thanksgiving visit last year. Speaking to troops at a U.S. airfield outside Kabul, Trump praised troops who had deployed to “defend liberty” since the start of the war and those who “continue to serve heroically to stamp out terrorism and to eviscerate the enemies of civilization.”
It remains unclear how quickly further reductions will follow if peace talks, already delayed, do not begin or progress. Trump, who has spoken about his desire to end the Afghan war since he was a presidential candidate, has repeatedly spoken with frustration about the war and the resources it has involved.
“You can only hold someone’s hand for so long,” he said in March, referring to Afghanistan.
The Taliban meanwhile has demonstrated its continued resilience, conducting attacks that have resulted in a surge in Afghan casualties this spring. So far in 2020, four U.S. troops have died in hostile action. Last year, almost 20 died.
U.S. military officials have said that even if a peace deal can be had, a significant counter terrorism threat will remain given the presence of al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants.
In its editorial, the Wall Street Journal appeared to voice concern about a sudden withdrawal order.
“The Taliban know that President Trump is eager to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country, preferably before Election Day in November, so he can claim a diplomatic victory,” the editorial read. “But that gives the Taliban an incentive to bide their time in the hope of goading Mr. Trump to do something impulsive.”
A Pentagon spokesman referred questions about the president’s tweet to the White House. The White House did not provide a comment.
Courtesy/Source: Washington Post
