Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., warned on Monday that the administration’s approach in Afghanistan threatens to destabilize the region, with the latter calling Obama’s policies “almost criminal.”
Policies imposed by the administration last year prevented U.S. forces from engaging Taliban fighters except under limited circumstances, including self-defense, though the guidelines have been drawn back amid the terrorist group’s resurgence. “The rules of engagement were so restrictive that it gave an advantage to the Taliban and other terrorist groups,” McCain told reporters in Kabul.
Graham emphasized the need for at least 9,800 U.S. troops to remain in the country, rather than allowing for a planned reduction to 5,500 by the time President Obama leaves office in January. “I cannot guarantee success if we keep 9,800, but I can ensure you failure if we go to 5,500,” Graham said. “I will have a hard time supporting our continued presence here as it’s not fair to those left behind … They just can’t do the job. If we go to 5,500 this place will fall apart, quickly.”
The two went to the region as part of a bipartisan delegation to visit U.S. personnel over the holiday. They were joined by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.
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U.S. warplanes last month launched airstrikes against Taliban targets as part of an effort to diminish its insurgency, a problem that has grown in the three years since Afghan forces took the lead for providing security in the country.
Sasse nonetheless sounded an optimistic note. “Ultimately we’re going to win this fight, it’s just going to take decades,” he said. “The American people well understand that staying partnered with a good ally like the Afghan government is the best way to deny future safe havens to those who would plot jihadi attacks across the globe.”
