Afghan government welcomes Trump troops pledge

Afghanistan’s government has welcomed the commitment by the US president to step up the campaign against the Taliban and increase the number of US troops in the country. On the streets of Kabul, some residents were optimistic about the move, but others said they were tired of conflicts and didn’t want the Americans. The Taliban reacted defiantly, an audio statement on its website vowing to continue the jihad as long as even one American soldier remained in Afghanistan. Despite the lack of specifics in Donald Trump’s speech, the country’s second most powerful official behind the president said the new strategy provided a unique opportunity to fight militants. “I’m sure that the announcement of the policy and implementation of it will affect the situation in favour of the Afghan National Security forces,” said Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. NATO allies, called on by Trump to provide more cash for the war effort, have also welcomed the move to commit more forces. But putting an end to the 16-year conflict is a monumental task. Despite the president’s rhetoric, his policy is being seen by some as broadly similar to that of his predecessor Barack Obama.