McChrystal: Trump responsible for Mattis's decision to send troops to Afghanistan - thehill

Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal told CNN Thursday that President Trump will own his Defense secretary's decision to send 4,000 additional troops to retake parts of Afghanistan from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

"I believe Jim Mattis will make a great decision on Afghanistan," McChrystal said hours before the announcement. "But I don't think that takes away President Trump's responsibility for that decision."

McChrystal, who served under former President Barack Obama, told CNN's Jake Tapper that Trump's position as commander in chief means he will be held responsible for the outcome of Mattis's decision.

"Ultimately, he is the commander in chief and the leader of the American people," McChrystal said. "So President Trump will ultimately own the outcome, so it's important we take a long view."

McChrystal broke with Mattis's decision to send 4,000 additional troops to supplement the about 8,400 troops already in the country, warning against the possibility of the U.S. footprint in the country becoming too large.

"I'm a believer in the Afghan people, so I support an increase in forces there," McChrystal said. "But the question we have to ask is ... does that [increase] produce the outcome we want?" - Read More

McChrystal: Trump responsible for Mattis's decision to send troops to ...