US President Donald Trump will announce his decision on America’s strategy in Afghanistan tonight in an address to US troops and the nation almost 16 years after the war began. The US president will “provide an update on the path forward for America’s engagement in Afghanistan and South Asia” in an address to be delivered at 9 pm from the military base at Fort Myer, southwest of the capital, the White House said in a statement. Trump gathered top security officials on Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland to weigh his options in the grueling conflict, saying afterwards that “many decisions” had been made. US media reported that Trump’s defence secretary, James Mattis, confirmed in Amman, Jordan on Sunday that the administration had agreed on a new strategy for Afghanistan after “rigorous” debate, but refused to provide any details about the decision. Trump had several options on the table that ranged from backing away from the country to stepping up US efforts to defeat the Taliban. In June he gave Mattis the power to increase troop numbers above the estimated 8,400 that have been in the country – close to 4,000 more, according to reports. There are now about 8,400 US and 5,000 NATO troops supporting Afghanistan’s security forces in the fight against Taleban and other militants.
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