One of President Donald Trump’s primary campaign pledges in 2016 was to bring an end to U.S. military involvement in overseas wars, particularly in the Middle East — and despite concerted opposition to that goal from the political establishment and Washington bureaucracy, the president is taking steps toward fulfilling that vow.
During a speech delivered to the Values Voter Summit in Washington on Saturday, President Trump reiterated his increasingly urgent commitment to bringing home American troops who are fighting and dying in what are often intractable foreign conflicts.
It’s time to bring the troops home
On Saturday, Trump spoke about his efforts to rebuild the depleted American military and also of the incredible amount of resources spent over the years — both in taxpayer dollars and human lives — to wage seemingly endless wars in various parts of the globe.
He shared how painful it was for him personally to express condolences to the families of fallen service members and to witness grief-stricken relatives break down at the sight of their lost loved one returning home in a flag-draped coffin. He also spoke of meeting with wounded combat veterans at Walter Reed Hospital and of the terrible pain and difficult recoveries they endure as a result of their service to this nation.
“So, I see this. And I — you know, it’s — it’s a very hard thing to do. It doesn’t mean we won’t fight. We’ll fight — we’re fighting harder than anybody. But sometimes we have to know what we’re fighting for. And we can’t stay there forever. We have to bring our great heroes, our great soldiers — we have to bring them home. It’s time. It’s time,” the president said, to great applause from the audience.
Explaining Syria
President Trump then shifted his focus to the recent difficulties in Syria, where NATO ally Turkey is once again fighting with the Kurdish people in that war-torn region. The Turks are ostensibly engaged in an effort to create a “safe zone” buffer along their border with Syria to reduce the potential for future wars with their centuries-old Kurdish rivals — a long-running conflict in which Trump believes the U.S. has no real business being involved over the long term.
“Let them have their borders,” Trump said of Turkey. “But I don’t think our soldiers should be there for the next 50 years guarding a border between Turkey and Syria when we can’t guard our own borders at home. I don’t think so.”
The president also remarked that our nation’s military — with the aid of allies — had swiftly taken down the so-called “caliphate” of the Islamic State jihadists, something his “Washington generals” didn’t think could be done quickly, but that the generals actually in the field promised to do rapidly, and did.
An end in sight
Circling back to the current conflict between the Turks and Kurds, Trump aptly predicted that any decision he made in its regard — whether to withdraw U.S. troops from the fight or stand in the way and battle a NATO ally — would have been harhsly criticized by the media and the D.C. political establishment.
“But no matter what we did, the media will say it’s the wrong decision. I see it. It makes no difference. If I said, ‘We’re going to stay and fight. We’re going to fight them like they never saw,’ they’ll say, ‘It’s terrible. I told you he loves war,'” Trump said.
The president also spoke of the interminable 18-year-long fight in Afghanistan and of his efforts to help protect persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, but reiterated once again that, absent clear goals and an exit strategy, the U.S. doesn’t need to be involved in “never-ending” wars.
“Any military engagement where we send young men and women to fight and die must have clear objectives, vital national interests, and a realistic plan for how the conflict will end,” the president said. “We don’t want to be in 19-year wars where we serve as a policing agent for the whole country.”
1,074 Responses
I appreciate the way you have actually ended this article …
You need to take part in a contest for the most effective blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Precisely the type of web content that enriches the net. Many thanks!
Great work! That is the kind of info that should be shared around the net. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper! Come on over and consult with my website . Thanks =)|
I like the way you have concluded this blog post …
This design is wicked! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I simply couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info an individual provide in your visitors? Is gonna be again ceaselessly in order to check up on new posts.
Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you|
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article post. I like to write a little comment to support you.|
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest website and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My site covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!
Thanks Riaz – great to see you back here again! 🙂
I am very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
I am genuinely happy to read this weblog posts which consists of lots of helpful data, thanks for providing these kinds of information.|
It is perfect time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may just I want to recommend you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles relating to this article. I wish to read more issues approximately it!|
Hello to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this website, and your views are nice for new users.|
I really love your blog.. Great colors & theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal website and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Kudos!|
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!|
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…|
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve performed a formidable process and our entire neighborhood will be grateful to you.|
If you are going for best contents like I do, just pay a visit this web site everyday since it presents feature contents, thanks|
şırnak mobil uygulama geliştirme firmaları
If you are going for finest contents like me, simply pay a visit this web site daily as it offers feature contents, thanks|
kilis mobil uygulama geliştirme firmaları
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you actually understand what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my site =). We could have a link change arrangement between us!
haber sitesi
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.|
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|
kıl çadırda sikişen escort
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?|
I have learn several good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you place to make this kind of excellent informative web site.|