White House Frustrations On What To Do In Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), flanked by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) and Defense Secretary James Mattis (R), holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Reuters: In Afghan review, Trump's frustration carries echoes of Obama years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown an affinity, and perhaps even a deference, to the generals he has surrounded himself with in his Cabinet and at the White House, save one exception: the war in Afghanistan.

More than a dozen interviews with current and former U.S. officials familiar with the discussions reveal a president deeply frustrated with the lack of options to win the 16-year-old war, described internally as "an eroding stalemate."

The debate carries echoes of the same dilemma Barack Obama faced in 2009. Then, as now, odds are that Trump will ultimately send more troops, current and former officials say.

"It's the least worst option," one former U.S. official familiar with the discussions said, speaking on condition of anonymity, while acknowledging that with Trump, a pullout cannot be completely ruled out.

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WNU Editor: The pressure is building .... the Afghans fear that they will be abandoned .... With US general under fire, Afghans fear being abandoned by Trump (Washington Post). The Pakistanis are being criticised .... Trump administration criticize Pakistan for selective fight against terror groups (Khaama Press). And who needs allies like this ..... ‘A coalition of killers’: The ex-warlords promising Afghanistan’s ‘salvation’ (Washington Post).

Update: A good read .... Is Trump Right About Afghanistan? (Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic).