President Trump is laying out a new policy for America's military involvement in Afghanistan. In statements at Fort Myer in Virginia, Trump remarked that the United States must seek an honorable and enduring outcome in its longest war. He added that his initial instinct was to pull U.S. troops from Afghanistan, but he now believes the situation will only get worse if that happens. Trump emphasized that conditions on ground, will guide U.S. strategy from now on, not timetables. Trump didn't talk about troop numbers, but there are reports about an increase of about four-thousand troops to the area.
Trump put other countries in the region on notice, saying he expects them to increase their involvement towards a solution in Afghanistan. He said it's time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to peace. He also said he wants India to devote more financial assistance to Afghanistan. With regards to the Afghan government, Trump said the U.S. supports it, but that support is neither limitless nor a blank check.
Trump spent much of the first part of his speech appealing for unity in America. Trump said the U.S. military is an example of men and women from all walks of life coming together to achieve a common goal. He said troops sent overseas deserve to come home to a nation that's unified and healed. He emphasized that when Americans open their hearts to patriotism, there's no room for bigotry or hate.
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