Trump sends more troops to Afghanistan and changes strategy

US President Increased Against Pakistan

US President Donald Trump will send four thousand more troops to Afghanistan in a new military strategy to combat terrorism and help stabilize the country, the White House said. "I expected to withdraw all the troops and I always like to follow my instincts, but I learned that the decisions are very different when you sit at the Oval Office table," said the Republican tycoon. 

According to Trump, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan would create a vacuum of power, which would be used by "terrorists, including the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda." The president, however, avoided making promises regarding the exact number of troops to be sent to Afghanistan, as well as the duration of the new operation.

 "We've talked a number of times about how it's counterproductive for the US to announce in advance the dates they want to begin or end military operations. We will not talk about numbers of soldiers or our plans," he said.
Trump's new policy for Afghanistan also foresees changes in the relationship between the US and Pakistan, which has always been seen as a controversial partner in the fight against terrorism. "Pakistan has a lot to gain by collaborating with our efforts in Afghanistan and much to lose by continuing to protect terrorists," the Republican said in a speech broadcast from Fort Myer military base in Virginia.

The Afghan government reacted well to the announcement. "Afghan civilians heard exactly what they wanted," said the ambassador in Washington, Hamdullah Mohib. But the Taliban reacted and made new threats to the United States.

 "Until you have an American soldier on our land, and America continues its war policy, we will take our jihad against them with determination," the group said in a statement.