Trump & Afghanistan

On 8-21, President Trump made a speech about the continuing military actions of the US in Afghanistan. The speech was purported to be a reveal of our new policies and actions in that country. As Trump pointed out, the war is the longest in US history at almost 17 years.

I am not a Trump supporter but this speech was better than most he delivers. By that I mean he didn't say anything stupid or offend large segments of the country. 

The beginning section of the speech had nothing to do with Afghanistan. Instead, Trump talked about prejudices, race, integrated military, brothers and sisters, the American family, regardless of race, camaraderie, ethnicity, color or creed. It was obvious that he was doing damage control for his complete fumble of the Charlottesville events. Then he bitched about the situation he inherited, a few times. He stuck to the script completely. 

As for the policy changes in our approach to Afghanistan, I'm not sure what they are or what they mean. My takeaway from the speech are these points:

• No specific timetable
• No specific troop numbers
• A change in our relationship with Pakistan
• More involvement by India
• Free up military commanders in the field to make more decisions
• Fight to win
• Ask allies to for more support. Money and troops
• No more nation-building

With the exception of more local commanders decision making, I'm not sure what any of the other points mean. Trump did say that we would not withdraw from Afghanistan prematurely.

In my opinion, it was a typically vague Trump speech. Regardless of almost any outcome in Afghanistan, he will say that is what he meant. If we are successful, he will take credit for it. If we continue to flounder with no real progress he will say he never promised any specific goals or achievements. 

In the scheme of Trump's administration, it was a successful speech. He stuck to the teleprompter. We'll have to wait to see if and when any real changes occur in Afghanistan either in approach, intensity or troop levels. 

I hope whatever strategy Trump and the military have in mind works. The efforts so far have not been our country's finest hours. It seems we are in the same position we were about six months after the conflict began. We certainly don't need to have combat troops, in harm's way, in Afghanistan for another 16 years. 

Make Afghanistan great again. 

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