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
Hey! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!|
I think that what you published was actually very reasonable. But, what about this? suppose you typed a catchier post title? I ain’t suggesting your information is not good., however suppose you added something to maybe grab a person’s attention? I mean BLOG_TITLE is a little plain. You might glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create post headlines to get viewers to open the links. You might add a related video or a picture or two to grab readers interested about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it might bring your website a little bit more interesting.|
There is perceptibly a bunch to realize about this. I suppose you made various good points in features also.
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!|
This web site certainly has all the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d genuinely appreciate it.|
May I simply just say what a relief to uncover an individual who actually knows what they are talking about online. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.|
First off I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Cheers!|
Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot approximately this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with a few to force the message house a bit, however other than that, that is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.|
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and test again here frequently. I’m slightly certain I will be informed lots of new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the next!|
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now ;)|
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
I visit every day some web pages and information sites to read content, however this web site provides feature based writing.|
It’s in fact very difficult in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I only use world wide web for that reason, and obtain the most recent news.|
You need to take part in a contest for one of the finest sites on the net. I am going to recommend this site!|
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!|
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for keyword|
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a data! present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web site.|
we are a company located in humboldt county CA we have a large selection of top shelf marijuana strains, we also have vapes, edibles and more. Our customers are our top priority, please contact us if you have questions like where to buy cannabis online in restricted states/countries.
Hola! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic work!|
This text is invaluable. How can I find out more?|
High DA PA SEO Backlinks – Boost Your Website Ranking
Excellent website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!|
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.|
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.|
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!|
Can you tell us more about this? I’d want to find out some additional information.|
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this matter here on your internet site.|
If you would like to take a good deal from this piece of writing then you have to apply these strategies to your won website.|
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. With thanks|
Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!|
Appreciating the dedication you put into your site and in depth information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!|
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific site.|
Appreciating the time and energy you put into your site and in depth information you offer. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & aid other customers like its aided me. Great job.|
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for meta_keyword|