Trump: Many Decisions Made at Camp David Meeting, Including on Afghanistan

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on Saturday that many decisions, including those regarding Afghanistan, were made during his meeting with national security advisors on Friday. In a tweet posted on Saturday, August 19, Trump referred to the meeting at Camp David, stating that he spent a 'very important day' with 'talented generals and military leaders.' He added that 'many decisions were made, including regarding Afghanistan.' No further details about the decisions, particularly concerning Afghanistan, have been disclosed, and it is unclear when these decisions will be made public. Previously, the White House announced that Donald Trump reviewed policies and strategies regarding Afghanistan in a meeting with his senior national security advisors on Friday, but no decision was made regarding troop increases in the country. Sarah Sanders, the White House spokesperson, told reporters after the Camp David meeting that the latest information on new strategies that could protect U.S. interests in South Asia was provided to Trump. She added that the President is considering and studying his options in this regard and will inform the American people, as well as allies and the world, of his decision at the appropriate time. Earlier, Reuters reported that General McMaster, Trump's national security advisor, and other senior officials present at the meeting, called for an increase in U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The idea of increasing U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan by three to five thousand has the support of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis. In contrast, some U.S. officials have told Reuters that those in Trump's administration who oppose globalization support the idea of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. These officials also noted that another proposed strategy regarding Afghanistan is to maintain the current level of forces in the country, meaning keeping 8,400 military personnel there, with slight reductions or increases. The U.S. has been present in Afghanistan for nearly 16 years since the overthrow of the Taliban government following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but there are no signs of an end to the war in the country. Reuters states that U.S. intelligence and security agencies estimated in May of this year that even with an increase in U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the situation is likely to deteriorate next year.