H.R. McMaster reportedly gave Trump a snapshot of how a westernized Afghanistan might look
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
While President Donald Trump unveiled his plan on the US's role in Afghanistan, much of which is still shrouded in secrecy, his senior advisers reportedly employed a novel approach to help persuade him in making his final decision, according to a Washington Post report Monday.
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who still serves as a Lt. Gen. in the US Army, was said to have shown Trump a black-and-white image from 1972 of Afghan women walking through Kabul in miniskirts, The Post reported Monday night.
McMaster ostensibly used the image to convince Trump that Western norms could return to the country, according to Post reporters Philip Rucker and Robert Costa.
Despite that image, Trump's Monday night speech on his Afghan war strategy emphasized that the US would not be "nation-building again," and instead would be "killing terrorists."
Trump had reportedly been weighing several options for the US's longest war, including the possibility of employing military contractors. Although McMaster initially advocated for sending tens of thousands of troops to Afghanistan, in addition to the 8,400 who are already deployed there, former chief strategist Steve Bannon was said to have opposed the idea.
Trump, who has talked frequently about his reverence for military generals, eventually opted for a modest troop increase, which is rumored to be around 4,000 service members.
"My original instinct was to pull out, and, historically, I like following my instincts," Trump said. "But all of my life I heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office."
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- India Equity Market