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
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea|
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.|
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to trade techniques with other folks, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.|
Thanks for all your hard work on this web page. Debby loves participating in investigations and it’s really easy to see why. I notice all relating to the compelling means you produce priceless items via your blog and as well invigorate contribution from other individuals on the idea plus our own child has been becoming educated so much. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You are always performing a really great job.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts daily along with a mug of coffee.|
What i do not understood is in truth how you’re no longer really a lot more neatly-favored than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably with regards to this topic, produced me in my opinion imagine it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved except it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!
Exceptional post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!|
I visited multiple web pages but the audio quality for audio songs present at this web page is truly wonderful.|
Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a information! present here at this web site, thanks admin of this website.|
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!|
Very nice post. I certainly appreciate this website. Continue the good work!|
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was once a amusement account it. Glance advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?|
Hello, every time i used to check webpage posts here in the early hours in the break of day, as i like to gain knowledge of more and more.|
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.|
This style is spectacular! You absolutely know how to hold a reader amused. Between your wit and your clips, I was nearly moved to start my own blog (well, practically…HaHa!) Excellent work. I genuinely loved what you got to say, and additional than that, how you offered it. Too cool!
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|
Hi colleagues, how is the complete thing, and what you wish to say about this part of writing, on my view its truly brilliant designed for me.
Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.|
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I would also like to express that video games have been actually evolving. Modern tools and inventions have served create genuine and active games. These entertainment video games were not actually sensible when the actual concept was first of all being used. Just like other areas of electronics, video games also have had to advance by many ages. This is testimony to the fast continuing development of video games.
Hey I am so grateful I found your webpage, We really found you by accident, while We was browsing on Aol for something else, Anyhow I actually am here today and would only like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round fulfilling blog (I likewise love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the instant but I have bookmarked it and as well added your RSS feeds, so when We have time I will be back again to read more, Please carry out keep up the magnificent do the job.
Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just great and that i could suppose you’re a professional in this subject. Fine with your permission let me to snatch your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please continue the enjoyable work.|
Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical rss problem? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
I’m extremely impressed along with your writing abilities as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you customize it your self? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays..|
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Many thanks
It’s remarkable in favor of me to have a website, which is good designed for my knowledge. thanks admin|
I was able to find good info from your articles.|
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could definitely be one of the best in its field. Wonderful blog!
You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation however I find this matter to be really one thing which I feel I might never understand. It seems too complex and extremely extensive for me. I am having a look ahead on your next submit, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks!
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my blog something like that. Can I implement a portion of your post to my website?
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.
Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks a lot|
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!|
For the reason that the admin of this web site is working, no question very quickly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.|
Heya are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I do agree with all the ideas you have offered to your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for beginners. May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness to your submit is just great and that i can suppose you are a professional on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to seize your feed to keep updated with impending post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the gratifying work.|