Donald Trump pledged support for Afghanistan and warned Pakistan for harboring terrorists. “America will continue its support for the Afghan government and the Afghan military as they confront the Taliban in the field,” Trump said in his address to the Americans yesterday 21 August 2017.
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He said that the core pillar of the new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions. “We will not talk about talk about number of troops or our plans for further military activities. Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on.” He said that it is up to the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future. “We will not dictate the Afghan people how to live or how to go govern their own complex society. We are not nation building again. We are killing terrorists.’ Commenting on Pakistan, Trump said that the U.S. can no longer be silent about its safe havens for terrorist organization, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.” He warned that Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists. “We have being paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars, at the same time they are housing the same terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change. And that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and officials.” According to Trump, military power alone will not bring peace to Afghanistan or stop the terrorist threat arising in the country. “But strategically-applied force aims to create conditions for a political process to achieve a lasting pace. America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress,” he said. Trump, however, noted that the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan is not unlimited and its support is not a blank check. “The government of Afghanistan must carry their share of the military, political and economic burden. The American people expect to see real reforms, real progress, and real results.” He also appreciated India’s contributions to stability in Afghanistan and called on it to do more especially in the area of economic assistance and development.
