KABUL’s sole superpower was not winning the war.
During a stormy meeting at the White House in July, Donald Trump voiced frustration over a delay in crafting a new US strategy for Afghanistan, according to a US news channel.
NBC reported the president repeatedly asked Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford to replace Gen. John Nicholson.
As the Pentagon mulls over extending the commander’s time, the presidential argument was that Nicholson was not winning the war in Afghanistan, the news channel quoted unnamed officials as saying.
Also frustrated with NATO allies, Trump slammed his military advisers for America’s losing position in the war. He also reportedly directed his frustration at Mattis, who has was authorised months ago to set troop levels in Afghanistan.
"We aren't winning; we are losing," one official quoted Trump as saying. In response, the defense secretary said the US was losing because the war in Afghanistan it did not have the required strategy.
Trump said veterans had told him that NATO forces had not been helpful. He reportedly regretted that China was siphoning off money from Afghanistan's $1 trillion in rare minerals.
NBC reported the president left the national security meeting without making a decision on a new strategy for Afghanistan. His advisers were stunned, as Mattis returned from the White House visibly upset.
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