Graham on the Path Forward in Afghanistan

August 16, 2019

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made these statements on the path forward in Afghanistan.

 “American service members are not acting as policemen in Afghanistan.  They are the front-line defense for America against the reemergence of radical Islamist groups who wish to attack the American homeland.  

“To trust the Taliban to control al-Qaeda, ISIS-K, and other radical Islamist groups present in Afghanistan – as a replacement for a US counter-terrorism force – would be a bigger mistake than Obama’s Iranian nuclear deal. 

“Any peace agreement which denies the US a robust counter-terrorism capability in Afghanistan is not a peace deal.  Instead, it is paving the way for another attack on the American homeland and attacks against American interests around the world. 

“Any agreement which denies the US the ability to have a meaningful counter-terrorism force capability – based on conditions on the ground for as long as needed – is a recipe for disaster. 

“I hope the President Trump and his team make sound and sustainable decisions about radical Islamist threats emanating from Afghanistan – the place where 9/11 originated.  

“A bad agreement puts the radical Islamist movement all over the world on steroids. 

“President Trump should learn from President Obama’s mistakes.  Be smart, take your time, and listen to your national security team.”