FAKE NEWS: NY Times Op-Ed Falsely Accuses Trump of Ignoring War in Afghanistan

The New York Times published an op-ed by Andrew J. Bacevich datelined March 13 that falsely accuses President Donald Trump of ignoring the war in Afghanistan. The op-ed is directly contradicted by a report published two days earlier that quotes Afghanistan’s U.S. ambassador praising Trump as being very interested in Afghanistan and wanting to win the war. Trump’s keen interest in winning in Afghanistan and helping the nation succeed, the ambassador said, was in stark contrast to President Barack Obama and his administration, “Trump wants to win. Sincerely. All the Obama administration wanted to do was not lose.”

View from Jersey City of the World Trade Center in New York City after al Qaeda terrorists flew hijacked passenger jets into the Twin Towers, September 11, 2001.

The U.S. has been at war in Afghanistan since October 2001 in response to the 9/11 terror attacks perpetrated by al Qaeda which was being shielded in Afghanistan by the Taliban government.

Titled, The Never-Ending War in Afghanistan, the op-ed opens insulting Trump on Afghanistan based on a false premise.

President Trump’s Inaugural Address included no mention of Afghanistan. Nor did his remarks last month at a joint session of Congress. For the new commander in chief, the war there qualifies at best as an afterthought — assuming, that is, he has thought about it all.

A similar attitude prevails on Capitol Hill. Congressional oversight has become pro forma. Last week Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of Central Command, told Congress that the Pentagon would probably need more troops in Afghanistan, a statement that seemed to catch politicians and reporters by surprise — but that was old news to anyone who’s been paying attention to the conflict.

And that’s the problem. It doesn’t seem that anyone is. At the Senate hearings on the nomination of James Mattis as defense secretary, Afghanistan barely came up…”

The op-ed concludes with one more insult of Trump still based on a false premise.

That our impulsive commander in chief may one day initiate some new war in a fit of pique is a worrisome prospect. That neither President Trump nor anyone else in Washington seems troubled that wars once begun drag on in perpetuity is beyond worrisome.”

The Times op-ed by Bacevich is directly contradicted by a report by Benny Johnson published by the Independent Journal Review on March 11, I Had Dinner With the Afghan Ambassador. What He Said About the Differences Between Trump, Obama Is Stunning

…Enter the current Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hamdullah Mohib. Friday night, Mohib hosted a dinner at his residence for Gold Star wives, the wives of American soldiers who gave their lives fighting in his home country. This reporter was invited to attend and report on the events of the evening. The ambassador graciously received approximately one dozen Gold Star wives and members of the military community at his residence.

Over the course of the evening, Dr. Mohib led a vibrant, gracious conversation about the struggles of his home country and displayed deep appreciation to the family members of the Americans lost on its soil. The ambassador invited questions from the group after a rich, Afghan dinner, served in an ornate, chandelier lit ballroom. Specifically, Dr. Mohib wondered how his post could better serve those in the military community who gave so much for his country.

During this Q and A, the ambassador was asked about the current American administration and how the people of Afghanistan viewed President Trump. His answer stunned those listening, not only for its candor but also for its rare insight into how the president approaches foreign policy. His full response to the question:

“I’ve personally met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago and the president has had two phone conversations with President Ghani [The president of Afghanistan]. One call was after he won the election and one after [Trump] became president. Before the calls, we were advised to keep conversations short because, we were told, Trump will not be interested in the details of the call and does not have a long attention span, so it would be pointless to have a long call.

However, we were pleasantly surprised at how much time President Trump spent asking very informed questions. The first time the presidents spoke, the questions Trump asked impressed us. “How can you win in this fight [against terrorism]?” he asked. “What do you need to become financially independent?” and “How can American business invest in Afghanistan? How can we develop businesses and mining in your country?”

Trump would listen intently after each question, often asking follow-ups. Trump’s second call with our president was even longer than the first. Asking these types of questions for our country is something the Obama administration never did. The Obama administration was the most academic administration we have ever had to deal with but the Trump administration has been the most thoughtful and intelligent.

Trump continually asked “How can you win? What does Afghanistan need to win?” in reference to our fight with terrorism. Trump wants to win. Sincerely. All the Obama administration wanted to do was not lose…”

Please click here to read the complete report by Benny Johnson on Ambassador Mohib’s remarks.

Based on the ambassador’s comments, the New York Times and Andrew J. Bacevich owe President Trump an apology.

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Kristinn Taylor has contributed to The Gateway Pundit for over ten years. Mr. Taylor previously wrote for Breitbart, worked for Judicial Watch and was co-leader of the D.C. Chapter of FreeRepublic.com. He studied journalism in high school, visited the Newseum and once met David Brinkley.

You can email Kristinn Taylor here, and read more of Kristinn Taylor's articles here.

 

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