Trump Reveals Afghanistan Plan: What You Need To Know

Following months of deliberation, President Donald Trump finally revealed his much-awaited Afghanistan plan Monday during his address at Fort Myer, Virginia. However, he took an about turn on his previous statements about the exit of the United States from the Middle Eastern country.

Trump, who usually does not bother about giving politically correct statements, seemed to give a calculated response about continuing the 16-year-old war in the region. He invoked nationalism and tried to generate enthusiasm about his plan, saying, “We will fight to win.” Here are the key highlights from his speech.

1. Increase in U.S. troops in Afghanistan

During his address, Trump said he has decided to send more troops to the war -torn country after much consideration; however, he did not specify a number. "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities," he said. Reports suggested the U.S. may send 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to join the existing 8,500 troops present there. The additional troops would perform the dual roles of helping in counterterrorism missions and training the Afghan forces.

U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was one of the poll promises made by Trump. Before he became the president, he made strong statements about how the country was wasting its resources in the Middle Eastern country.

2. Trump gives more power to U.S. military

Unlike his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who did not allow much autonomy to American troops causing frustration among commanders in the field, Trump said he would give more power to the military commanders. The commanders could take the charge of targeting terrorists and criminal networks in Afghanistan, he said.

"Micromanagement from Washington, D.C., does not win battles... These killers need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms," Trump said. "Retribution will be fast and powerful."

3. POTUS warns Pakistan against promoting terrorism

Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism by providing a safe haven for the Haqqani network has always remained an area of concern for the U.S. military, CNN reported.

During Monday's speech, Trump warned the U.S. would cut the aid to the Islamic nation if it did not cooperate in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan. "We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists we are fighting," POTUS said. "But that will have to change, and that will change immediately."

4. Trump urges India to contribute to Afghanistan war crisis solution

The president also said how India, a nuclear rival of Pakistan, could help in battling terrorism in Afghanistan. Trump referred to the trade alliance between India and the U.S., and urged New Delhi to help with the economic assistance and development of Afghanistan.

5. Trump wants Victory in Afghanistan But No Nation-Building

Unlike Obama, who said in 2011 that it was time for the U.S. to focus on nation-building in Taliban-infested Afghanistan, Trump clarified he only wanted victory in the region.

"Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win," he said. "From now on, victory will have a clear definition, attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge."

"We want them to succeed, but we will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in far-away lands or try to rebuild other countries in our own image," he said. "Those days are now over."