Pro-war American politicians have commended President Donald Trump for making a commitment to a prolonged military presence in Afghanistan.
In a clear U-turn from his campaign pledges to end the now 16-year occupation of Afghanistan, Trump said Monday that his views had changed since entering the White House and that he would continue the military intervention “as long as we see determination and progress” in the South Asian country.
He also took a tough line with Pakistan, warning Islamabad against providing terrorists with “safe havens.”
The position was welcomed by Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham as well as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, some of Trump’s fiercest Republican critics.
McCain described the new strategy as a “big step in the right direction” but said it was “long overdue.”
“Nevertheless, I believe the president is now moving us well beyond the prior administration’s failed strategy of…