Trump's Afghan Strategy Expected to Allow Deployment of 4,000 Extra US Troops

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Sunday, the White House released a statement saying that Trump will address US troops and the American people on Monday "to provide an update on the path forward for America’s engagement in Afghanistan and South Asia."

Following the White House's statement, officials expect Trump to announce a strategy that would meet the requests of commanders in the field and authorize the deployment of around 4,000 more US troops in Afghanistan, the CBS broadcaster reported.

On July 14, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Pentagon was close to completing its policy review for a new strategy in Afghanistan. On August 3, US Sen. Lindsey Graham said the United States could turn the tide of the war in Afghanistan with just 3,000-4,000 additional troops and increased air capacity.  On August 19, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was considering his options in Afghanistan after an extensive meeting with his national security team.

The United States and its allies launched military operations in Afghanistan in 2001, just after the 9/11 terror attacks. The mission in Afghanistan ended in 2014. On January 1, 2015, NATO announced its new mission in the country, called Resolute Support, to train and assist the Afghan security forces.