After a week-long trial period of the deal to reduce violence in Afghanistan, a deal was signed to bring an end to the 18-year long conflict.
The period of conflict that has stretched on for eighteen years (or, roughly forty years for the people of Afghanistan) could finally be over.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump congratulated Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and “the people of the United States for having spent so much in terms of blood, in terms of treasure, and treasury.”
He said the Taliban had been trying to reach an agreement with the US for a long time, and that he had faith in the deal because “everyone is tired of war.”
The president added that US troops had been killing terrorists in Afghanistan “by the thousands” and now it was “time for someone else to do that work and it will be the Taliban and it could be surrounding countries”.
“I really believe the Taliban wants to do something to show we’re not all wasting time,” he added. “If bad things happen, we’ll go back with a force like no-one’s ever seen.” — BBC
Of course, as with all things in life, there is plenty of uncertainty. But some small, encouraging steps of progress have been made.
After a week-long deal to reduce violence across Afghanistan, the U.S. and the Taliban signed a historic agreement Saturday that would see U.S. troops start to withdraw, according to a statement issued Friday afternoon by President Donald Trump.
…The agreement with the militant group that harbored the al Qaeda operatives responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks comes after over 18 years of war. The Trump administration hopes it is poised to reshape Afghanistan, leading to national peace negotiations and ending any Taliban safe haven for terrorists that threaten the U.S. homeland. But critics warn the Taliban has neither the ability nor perhaps the appetite to carry out their commitments.
…According to Pompeo, the agreement triggers a “conditions-based and phased” U.S. withdrawal and the “commencement” of Afghan negotiations where “all sides of the conflict will sit down together and begin the hard work of reconciliation.” U.S. officials say the deal also includes Taliban commitments on counterterrorism, although those details are still unclear.
“These commitments represent an important step to a lasting peace in a new Afghanistan, free from Al Qaeda, ISIS, and any other terrorist group that would seek to bring us harm,” Trump said in his statement. “Ultimately, it will be up to the people of Afghanistan to work out their future. We, therefore, urge the Afghan people to seize this opportunity for peace and a new future for their country.”
At a White House briefing Saturday, Trump said troops will be returning from Afghanistan “today.”
“Today, they’ll start immediately,” Trump said.
Isn’t it interesting how Obama got a peace prize but wasn’t able to bring this conflict to a resolution, while Trump, the guy who is supposedly going to trigger World War III any minute now with some country yet to be determined, was able to broker a deal?
In related news, Trump also had Grenell working on beginning steps of reconciliation and rapprochement between the Bosnians and the Serbs in another conflict that goes all the way back to Clinton’s administration.
For someone who takes so much heat from his critics, you might expect that at least the DOVES would look at Trump’s record and agree that at least SOME of what he is doing lines up with their priorities.
But no.
Orange Man Bad takes priority in every consideration here. Even questions of war and peace.
Sad!
Christians regularly get bashed for supporting Trump, but what was it Jesus said? I do believe it was, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
We’ve all seen the dishonest games the left have played with the power they’re entrusted with, they’re obviously unworthy of that trust.
But what about 2020? Could a moral person pull a lever for Trump with their integrity intact? Would Jesus himself vote for Trump? We’re glad you asked. There’s a brand new book that covers precisely that question:
“Would Jesus Vote For Trump?” by Doug Giles and Brandon Vallorani.
Would Jesus ever choose someone, with a less than stellar past, to be a leader? Would Jesus be cool with how Trump blasts CNN, The Left, and his feckless ‘compadres’ on The Right? What about Health Care? Would the Great Physician give Trump’s opposition to ObamaCare the ‘two thumbs up?’ Find out in this BEST-SELLER!
