Washington: A top Republican Senator has criticised the Afghan policy of US President Barack Obama, opposing his troop withdrawal plan from the country and the peace talks with the Taliban.
Republican Senator John McCain also opposed the plan to reduce the strength of the Afghan national security forces post 2014 and accused Obama of overruling advice of his commanders on Afghanistan.
“The effect of these and other decisions has been strategically debilitating. It sends the signal to everyone in Afghanistan and the region, both friend and enemy alike, that the United States has lost the will for this fight… that we are hell-bent on leaving Afghanistan regardless of conditions on the ground… that the Taliban is literally coming back, starting with the five detainees possibly headed to Doha. “…And that the international community will not even help our willing Afghan partners to sustain a sufficient number of forces to lead this fight on their own,” McCain said.
None of this may be true, he said, adding, “I can assure you that it is the perception in Afghanistan and the region.’ (PTI)