2 Congressmen who represent northeast Georgia and Georgia's 2 U.S. Senators offered generally positive assessments of President Donald Trump's new U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan.
Reversing his past calls for a speedy exit, President Trump Monday night recommitted the U.S. to the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan, declaring U.S. troops must "fight to win." He did not disclose how many additional troops will be dispatched to wage America’s longest war.
"President Trump’s strategy for South Asia focuses on achieving security for America and stability in Afghanistan within a complex regional context," Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, said in a press statement. "As an Iraq veteran, I welcome renewed American resolve to defeat terrorism and its enablers so that the world and every person in it enjoys more peace tomorrow than they knew yesterday"
The President said the U.S. will shift away from a "time-based" approach, instead linking its assistance to results and to cooperation from the Afghan government, Pakistan and others. He said it will be a "regional" strategy that addresses the roles played by other South Asian nations, especially Pakistan’s harboring of elements of the Taliban.
"I support a strategy in Afghanistan that protects our homeland and prevents Afghanistan from once again becoming a haven for terrorists to plot attacks against the United States," Senator Johnny Isakson said. "The president tonight (Monday) outlined a tough and thoughtful strategy following the guidance of General Mattis and our military leaders. Our commanders in the field must have what they need to keep us safe and get the job done."
President Trump emphasized there would be no timelines, no hamstringing of the military and no divorcing of Afghanistan from the region’s broader problems.
"While his decision was not reached easily, it must be considered in the context of the previous policies which have failed," 10th District Rep. Jody Hice, R-Greensboro, said. "Most notably, when President Obama set an arbitrary timeline for withdrawing from Iraq, the coalitions we worked so hard to craft fell apart, setting the stage for ISIS and other terrorist organizations to fill the void. Simply put, we cannot repeat this legacy in Afghanistan."
One step being considered to further squeeze Pakistan is to cut foreign aid programs unless Islamabad clamps down on the Taliban and an associated group known as the Haqqani network, senior administration officials told reporters ahead of the speech. Using civilian and military aid as a pressure lever with the Pakistanis has been tried for years.
"The Trump Administration's regional approach will take into account the interrelationship of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, while working to counter destructive foreign interests," Senator David Perdue said. "Last month, I visited with General Nicholson, his commanders, the Afghan military and our troops on the ground, and this is exactly the type of plan and leadership from the White House they said they need."
Trump’s speech concluded a months-long internal debate within his administration over whether to pull back from the Afghanistan conflict.
Associated Press contributed to this story.
