REFLECTIONS

The United States Sets Its Sights Beyond Afghanistan

Aug 22, 2017 | 03:43 GMT

A U.S. soldier holds the national flag ahead of a handover ceremony at CampLeatherneck in Lashkar Gah in the Afghan province of Helmand on April 29.

As U.S. personnel facilitated the handover of Camp Leatherneck on April 29 in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, 300 U.S. marines arrived at Camp Shorab to assist Afghan forces against the Taliban's spring offensive.

(WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Afghanistan in an Aug. 21 address to the nation. His speech highlighted the familiar challenges associated with the Afghan theater, namely Washington's desire for Kabul to take on more responsibility for the war; Pakistan's role in providing sanctuary for militants; and a realization that a hasty withdrawal of troops could have dire consequences -- such as Afghanistan becoming a base once more for transnational extremists. ...