McCain issues his own military strategy for Afghanistan war amid White House delay - latimes

Fed up with what he calls White House inaction in Afghanistan, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Thursday unveiled his own strategy for the war-torn country — offering a plan that provides U.S. military commanders with broader authority to pursue militant forces.

McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has urged the Trump administration for months to submit to Congress a new Afghanistan strategy due to the worsening security situation in that country.

“Nearly seven months into President Trump’s administration, we’ve had no strategy at all as conditions on the ground have steadily worsened,” McCain said in a statement. “The thousands of Americans putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan deserve better from their commander-in-chief."

McCain's strategy, which was issued as an amendment to next fiscal year’s defense bill, includes providing additional U.S. troops for counter-terrorism missions, allowing U.S. advisors to work closer to the front lines with Afghan officers and giving U.S. commanders broader authority to target Taliban insurgents, Islamic State militants and other militias.

“Adopting a clear policy and strategy in Afghanistan, backed with the authorities and resources necessary for success, would be a critical step toward restoring that kind of leadership, which has been absent for far too long,” he said.

McCain, who currently is undergoing brain cancer treatment, intends to return to the Senate in the coming weeks to debate the amendment. - Read More

McCain issues his own military strategy for Afghanistan war amid White House delay

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