President Donald Trump today unveiled his new Afghanistan policy in a rare Monday night prime-time address to a nation. Trump made his first prime-time broadcast to the nation as president at 9 pm (6:30 am IST, Tuesday) to unveil his new plan after a lengthy period of deliberations to end nearly 16 years long war in Afghanistan. The much-awaited policy announcement comes eight months after Trump became the US president and after criticism from some US lawmakers that he was struggling to make a decision. Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, had announced his Afghan policy in the first 100 days of his office.
Trump made the announcement from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, Virginia.
Here are the highlights of Trump's new Afghan, South Asia strategy announcement:
# Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win
# We must unite to defend America from its enemies abroad.
# I will remain steadfast in protecting American lives and American interests
Also Read: Trump announces new Afghanistan policy: Full speech
# Retribution will be fast and powerful as we lift restrictions and expand authorities in the field
# We will work with allies and partners to protect our shared interests.
# We cannot repeat the mistake our leaders made in withdrawing from Iraq
# Support for Afghanistan 'not a blank check'
# We are not nation building again. We are killing terrorists
# India makes billions of dollars with the United States in trade,want them to help us more in Afghanistan
# We will develop a deeper strategic partnership with India, but we want them to help us more in Afghanistan
# We appreciate India's contribution in bringing stability in Afghanistan
# Pakistani people have suffered from extremists and terrorists but at same time Pakistan has been safe haven for terrorists
# Its time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to fight terror
# We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations
# Pakistan has much to lose by harboring criminals and terrorists
# Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan.
# My admin will ensure that you, the brave defenders of the American people, will have the necessary tools to make this work.
# A core pillar of our new strategy in Afghanistan is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions
# Afghans will secure and build their own nation, and define their own future. We want them to succeed.
# We will not tell Afghanistan how to rule its complex country
# America will continue its support to Afghanistan govt and its military to counter Taliban
# We must stop nuclear weapons from falling into wrong hands
# The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict
# Pakistan often gives safe havens to agents of chaos, violence and terror
# A hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan would create a vacuum that terrorists - including ISIS and al-Qaeda -- would instantly fill
# Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people.
# We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other
