With Focus on Afghanistan Talks, Trump Pledges to End ‘Endless Wars’

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration has intensified efforts toward a political resolution in Afghanistan, suggesting that the U.S. troop presence could be reduced as negotiations progress to conclude the lengthy conflict.

"Great nations do not fight endless wars," Trump declared during his annual State of the Union address to Congress. He also mentioned the near defeat of Islamic State militants in Syria and expressed a desire to bring U.S. troops home.

After nearly 17 years of warfare in Afghanistan, Trump acknowledged the "unmatched valor" of U.S. forces. "Thanks to their bravery, we are now able to pursue a possible political solution to this long and bloody conflict," he stated.

The president indicated that constructive discussions were taking place with several groups, including the Taliban. "As we make progress in these negotiations, we will be able to reduce our troop presence and focus on counter-terrorism. And we will indeed focus on counter-terrorism," Trump emphasized.

He did not provide specific details regarding the timeline for withdrawing the approximately 14,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Afghanistan.

U.S.-led forces initially intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to dismantle the Taliban regime, which had been harboring al Qaeda militants responsible for the September 11 attacks. "We do not know whether we will achieve an agreement – but we do know that after two decades of war, the hour has come to at least try for peace," Trump remarked.

In December, a U.S. official disclosed that Trump was planning to withdraw more than 5,000 troops from Afghanistan, sparking concerns about whether a reduced force could effectively continue ongoing missions and help stabilize the region.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump voiced a desire to prioritize domestic issues over international conflicts. However, his abrupt announcement in December regarding the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria raised alarms among allies and various current and former officials, who worry about the ongoing threat posed by Islamic State militants.

After the address, Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized Trump’s plans for Syria, suggesting they lacked proper consideration and could jeopardize U.S. allies such as the Kurds and Israel while empowering Iran. "We’ll probably come back at a future date, with much more danger to our troops," Engel asserted.

Earlier on Tuesday, General Joseph Votel, head of the military’s Central Command, cautioned that Islamic State would continue to present a significant threat.

In his speech, Trump stated that Islamic State had controlled over 20,000 square miles of territory in Iraq and Syria but emphasized, "Today, we have liberated virtually all of that territory from the grip of these bloodthirsty monsters."