President Trump, who as a private citizen blamed “stupid leaders” for prolonging the war in Afghanistan, plans to make a prime-time speech Monday in an attempt to sell Americans on his proposal for deeper involvement there. Militants serving the Taliban, Islamic State and other militias have wrought more violence and instability in Afghanistan over the past year, increasing pressure on Western forces brought in to bolster overmatched Afghan security forces. “We have wasted an enormous amount of blood and treasure in Afghanistan. Their government has zero appreciation. Let's get out!” Trump tweeted in 2013, one of several similar statements he made that year.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 21, 2017 14:15 UTC