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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Trump Unveils New Afghan War Plan In Prime-Time Address; House Speaker Paul Ryan Takes Questions At CNN Town Hall Event

Aired August 21, 2017 - 21:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[21:00:02] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sort of, we've already tried everything. There's a general on the ground there, Nicholson, who doesn't believe that and who has a plan. The president's going to listen to him.

And so, I think what you're really seeing that's consistent from the campaign to what's going on now is the president has taken some time, he inherited the situation and he's now going to lay out his plan for how to be successful. It's going to be based on what the generals on the ground are telling him. And he's going to show strength and he's going to show aggressiveness with our allies. And I think that's a really important step for the country and for our success in Afghanistan.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: General Hertling, I mean, there were reports earlier that the president was actually very critical of Nicholson, that Nicholson had the support, obviously, of Major McMaster and Mattis and others who really stood up for him.

Just in terms of those who are skeptical about why would anything be different now, you know, all the way back to 2002, there were special forces on the ground in Kabul. I remember standing around with them talking to them as they were trying to retrain the Afghan nation army.

In Taliban, one criticism is that we're trying to kind of institute a U.S. kind of military on the Afghan army when the Taliban are fighting a completely different war. They don't have training. They don't have this kind of -- all the weapons that the U.S. has been able to give the Afghan army. And yet they seem to be doing well on the battlefield.

LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING (RET.), U.S. ARMY: That's the point I was trying to make earlier, Anderson. In 2008, when President Obama came in, there were about 25,000 soldiers in Afghanistan. During the surge, he upped that to about 90,000. And part of his election campaign was, yes, I'm going to do the surge, but then I'm immediately going to pull them out, because the American people wanted to pull them out. And In fact, we were, I think, personally, and I'm conflicted on this, we were attempting to train, much like we were in Iraq, the entire society to make an army for security purposes. I think we're beyond that point. That's why I think General Nicholson's plan is to focus on the counterterrorism commandos to use them as the force against ISIS, of course, and the Taliban if need be Al Qaeda -- COOPER: I'm sorry, general, the president is about to speak. Let's

listen.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Tillerson, members of the cabinet, General Dunford, Deputy Secretary Shanahan, and Colonel Duggan, most especially, thank you to the men and women of Fort Myer and every member of the United States military, at home and abroad.

We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of our brave sailors who were injured and lost after a tragic collision at sea, as well as to those conducting the search-and-recovery efforts.

I am here tonight to lay out our path forward in Afghanistan and South Asia.

But before I provide the details of our new strategy, I want to say a few words to the service members here with us tonight, to those watching from their posts and to all Americans listening at home.

Since the founding of our republic, our country has produced a special class of heroes whose selflessness, courage and resolve is unmatched in human history. American patriots from every generation have given their last breath on the battlefield for our nation and for our freedom.

Through their lives, and though their lives were cut short, in their deeds they achieved total immortality. By following the heroic example of those who fought to preserve our republic, we can find the inspiration our country needs to unify, to heal, and to remain one nation, under God.

The men and women of our military operate as one team, with one shared mission and one shared sense of purpose. They transcend every line of race, ethnicity, creed and color to serve together and sacrifice together in absolutely perfect cohesion. That is because all service members are brothers and sisters. They're all part of the same family. It's called the American family. They take the same oath, fight for the same flag and live according to the same law. They're bound together by common purpose, mutual trust and selfless devotion to our nation and to each other.

[21:05:13] The soldier understands what we as a nation too often forget, that a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all. When one part of America hurts, we all hurt. And when one citizen suffers an injustice, we all suffer together. Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people.

When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate. The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home. We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other. As we send our bravest to defeat our enemies overseas, and we will always win, let us find the courage to heal our divisions within. Let us make a simple promise to the men and women we ask to fight in our name, that when they return home from battle, they will find a country that has renewed the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that unite us together as one.

Thanks to the vigilance and skill of the American military, and of our many allies throughout the world, horrors on the scale of September 11, and nobody can ever forget that, have not been repeated on our shores.

And we must acknowledge the reality I'm here to talk about tonight, that nearly 16 years after the September 11 attacks, after the extraordinary sacrifice of blood and treasure, the American people are weary of war without victory. Nowhere is this more evident than with the war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history, 17 years.

I share the American people's frustration. I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money, and most importantly lives, trying to rebuild countries in our own image instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations.

That is why shortly after my inauguration, I directed Secretary of Defense Mattis and my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of all strategic options in Afghanistan and South Asia. My original instinct was to pull out. And historically, I like following my instincts.

But all my life I've heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office, in other words, when you're president of the United States. So I studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle. After many meetings, over many months, we held our final meeting last Friday at Camp David with my cabinet and generals to complete our strategy.

I arrived at three fundamental conclusion about America's core interests in Afghanistan. First, our nation must seek an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made, especially the sacrifices of lives. The men and women who serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory. They deserve the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win.

[21:09:58] Second, the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable. 9-11, the worst terrorist attack in our history, was planned and directed from Afghanistan because that country was ruled by a government that gave comfort and shelter to terrorists.

A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda, would instantly fill just as happened before Sept. 11. And as we know, in 2011, America hastily and mistakenly withdrew from Iraq. As a result, our hard-won gains slipped back into the hands of terrorist enemies. Our soldiers watched as cities they had fought for and bled to liberate, and won, were occupied by a terrorist group called ISIS. The vacuum we created by leaving too soon gave safe haven for ISIS to spread, to grow, recruit and launch attacks. We cannot repeat in Afghanistan the mistake our leaders made in Iraq.

Third, and finally, I concluded that the security threats we face in Afghanistan and the broader region are immense. Today, 20 U.S.- designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the highest concentration in any region anywhere in the world.

For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen.

No one denies that we have inherited a challenging and troubling situation in Afghanistan and South Asia. But we do not have the luxury of going back in time and making different or better decisions. When I became president, I was given a bad and very complex hand. But I fully knew what I was getting into, big and intricate problems.

But one way or another, these problems will be solved. I'm a problem solver. And in the end, we will win.

We must address the reality of the world as it exists right now, to threats we face and the confronting of all of the problems of today, and extremely predictable consequences of a hasty withdrawal. We need look no further than last week's vile, vicious attack in Barcelona to understand that terror groups will stop at nothing to commit the mass murder of innocent men, women and children. You saw it for yourself. Horrible.

As I outlined in my speech in Saudi Arabia three months ago, America and our partners are committed to stripping terrorists of their territory, cutting off their funding and exposing the false allure of their evil ideology. Terrorists who slaughter innocent people will find no glory in this life or the next. They are nothing but thugs and criminals and predators and, that's right, losers.

Working alongside our allies, we will break their will, dry up their recruitment, keep them from crossing our borders and, yes, we will defeat them, and we will defeat them handily.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, America's interests are clear. We must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America. And we must prevent nuclear weapons and materials from coming into the hands of terrorists and being used against us, or anywhere in the world, for that matter.

But to prosecute this war, we will learn from history. As a result of our comprehensive review, American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically in the following ways.

[21:15:03] A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time- based approach to one based on conditions. I've said it many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin or end military options.

We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities. Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on. America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out.

I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will.

Another fundamental pillar of our new strategy is the integration of all instruments of American power, diplomatic, economic, and military, toward a successful outcome. Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan. But nobody knows if or when that will ever happen.

America will continue its support for the Afghan government and the Afghan military as they confront the Taliban in the field. Ultimately, it is up to the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, to govern their society and to achieve an everlasting peace. We are a partner and a friend, but we will not dictate to the Afghan people how to live or how to govern their own complex society. We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists.

The next pillar of our new strategy is to change the approach in how to deal with Pakistan. We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists. In the past, Pakistan has been a valued partner. Our militaries have worked together against common enemies. The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognize those contributions and those sacrifices.

But Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people. We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change. And that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country's harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order and to peace.

Another critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India, the world's largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the United States. We appreciate India's important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development. We are committed to pursuing our shared objectives for peace and security in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Finally, my administration will ensure that you, the brave defenders of the American people, will have the necessary tools and rules of engagement to make this strategy work, and work effectively, and work quickly.

I have already lifted restrictions the previous administration placed on our war fighters that prevented the secretary of defense and our commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy.

[21:19:58] Micromanagement from Washington, D.C., does not win battles. They're won in the field, drawing upon the judgment and expertise of wartime commanders, and front-line soldiers, acting in real time with real authority, and with a clear mission to defeat the enemy.

That's why we will also expand authority for American armed forces to target the terrorists and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan. These killers need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms. Retribution will be fast and powerful, as we lift restrictions and expand authorities in the field. We're already seeing dramatic results in the campaign to defeat ISIS, including the liberation of Mosul in Iraq.

Since my inauguration, we have achieved record-breaking success in that regard. We will also maximize sanctions and other financial and law enforcement actions against these networks to eliminate their ability to export terror. When America commits its warriors to battle, we must ensure they have every weapon to apply swift, decisive and overwhelming force.

Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win. From now on, victory will have a clear definition. Attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing Al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge.

We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy, with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own. We are confident they will.

Since taking office, I have made clear that our allies and partners must contribute much more money to our collective defense. And they have done so.

In this struggle, the heaviest burden will continue to be borne by the good people of Afghanistan and their courageous armed forces. As the prime minister of Afghanistan has promised, we are going to participate in economic development to help defray the cost of this war to us.

Afghanistan is fighting to defend and secure their country against the same enemies who threaten us. The stronger the Afghan security forces become, the less we will have to do. Afghans will secure and build their own nation and define their own future. We want them to succeed.

But we will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands or try to rebuild other countries in our own image. Those days are now over. Instead, we will work with allies and partners to protect our shared interests.

We are not asking others to change their way of life, but to pursue common goals that allow our children to live better and safer lives. This principled realism will guide our decisions moving forward. Military power alone will not bring peace to Afghanistan or stop the terrorist threat arising in that country. But strategically applied force aims to create the conditions for a political process to achieve a lasting peace.

America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress. However, our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check. The government of Afghanistan must carry their share of the military, political, and economic burden.

The American people expect to see real reforms, real progress and real results. Our patience is not unlimited. We will keep our eyes wide open. In abiding by the oath I took on Jan. 20, I will remain steadfast in protecting American lives and American interests.

In this effort, we will make common cause with any nation that chooses to stand and fight alongside us against this global threat. Terrorists take heed: America will never let up until you are dealt a lasting defeat.

[21:25:05] Under my administration, many billions of dollars more is being spent on our military, and this includes vast amounts being spent on our nuclear arsenal and missile defense. In every generation, we have faced down evil, and we have always prevailed. We prevailed because we know who we are and what we are fighting for.

Not far from where we are gathered tonight, hundreds of thousands of America's greatest patriots lay in eternal rest at Arlington National Cemetery. There is more courage, sacrifice and love in those hallowed grounds than at any other spot on the face of the Earth.

Many of those who have fought and died in Afghanistan enlisted in the months after September 11th, 2001. They volunteered for a simple reason, they loved America, and they were determined to protect her.

Now we must secure the cause for which they gave their lives. We must unite to defend America from its enemies abroad. We must restore the bonds of loyalty among our citizens at home. And we must achieve an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the enormous price that so many have paid.

Our actions, and in months to come, all of them will honor the sacrifice of every fallen hero, every family who lost a loved one, and every wounded warrior who shed their blood in defense of our great nation.

With our resolve, we will ensure that your service and that your families will bring about the defeat of our enemies and the arrival of peace. We will push onward to victory with power in our hearts, courage in our souls, and everlasting pride in each and every one of you. Thank you. May God bless our military, and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you.

COOPER: There you have it, President Trump at Joint Base Myer saying conditions on the ground not what he described as arbitrary timetables with govern operations in Afghanistan. Laying out what he says is a new strategy for America's longest war.

A number of key points he made. A shift from time based approach to one based on conditions on the ground. He was critical of the past administration for announcing a departure date, when they had a significant surge of troops.

He talked about changing how we deal with Pakistan, saying we can't tolerate safe haven which is a longtime criticism of Pakistan. Saying we'll change immediately. Cast keep paying them, meaning Pakistan, if they are harboring terror groups.

Reach out to India, saying they want India to help more in Afghanistan. He says micromanagement from D.C. does not win battles. The commanders more real time authority, lift restrictions on commanders in the field. Would not talk about any troop levels, though it did sound as if there may be a rise in the number of troops used as advisers for the Afghan national forces. But again, no numbers given by this president. He defining victory as attacking enemies, crushing Al Qaeda, stopping the Taliban, stopping terror attacks in the U.S.

He went on to say that the U.S. military, he does not want the U.S. military to build democracies in our image, not changing the Afghans' way of life. He called it principle, realism, support he said is not a blank check. We're not national building again. We are killing terrorist.

Joining us, retired army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, also CNN Chief National Security Correspondent, Jim Sciutto. Jim, General Hertling, just in terms of what jumps out to you as someone who spent a lot of time in the military, what did you make of what you heard?

HERTLING: Well, there were parts of it that I wholeheartedly agree with, Anderson. The primary factor when he said that we were shifting from time based ton conditions based. That's something that I think most of my colleagues, most military professionals would say we should have done in the past. It was one thing that stuck in many of our craws about saying we would reduce the number of forces at this time. All of us, I think, said that that would give the enemy an advantage. So that primarily, i gave that a big check mark.

The integration of diplomatic military and economic means, I believe we've been doing that, at a significant rate. And we did it initially in Iraq, where the State Department was mirroring much of what the military was doing. And I think the same thing has been going on in Afghanistan in an attempt to bring all of the elements of national power to bear.

[21:30:04] He said people of Afghanistan should take charge of their own country. I don't think we had the capability to enforce that in the past.

As I said before, the speech, that might be something that could take place now because of the advances made by President Ghani in connection with General Nicholson. And I think that is the potential. And it links to the next one he talked about in terms of killing terrorists.

That to me was a signal exactly what we were talking about before, that the primary focus is going to be helping the Afghan commando units the counterterrorism units, strike Al Qaeda, ISIS Khorasan, and the Taliban. And he did offer an Olive Branch, potentially in the future, to the Taliban. The same thing we talked about and I partially agree with Nick Paton Walsh on that. Now is certainly not the time, the Taliban has the advantage. But I think they're going to see this kind of a speech, potentially if it's backed with force, to be the start of a new offensive, if you will.

But still, I've got to go back to, these are all the whats of the speeches, the hows, and the priorities, and the meeting of the assumptions that are linked to any kind of strategic plan are not there.

COOPER: Yes.

HERTLING: Certainly, President Trump has said in the past he's not going to advertise those. But that's where the meat of the issue is.

COOPER: Yes.

HERTLING: What's going to happen in those areas?

COOPER: I want to bring in Jim Sciutto. It was interesting you heard the president early on kind of going back to Charlottesville without actually using the -- talking about Charlottesville, but kind of phrasing it as when military service members who have the best ideals of America, when they return home, that they see the same sense of loyalty that they have experienced.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: You know, the president's comments at the very top of the speech tonight clearly referencing Charlottesville, echoed what the service chiefs had been saying in recent days and weeks.

COOPER: -- it came out talking about the values in each of their branches.

SCIUTTO: Exactly. You know, the president right out of the gate saying no tolerance for hate. We want a country that's not at war with itself when those soldiers and service members come back. So it's interesting for the president in effective to take a page out of the service chiefs' book as he tries to address this issues which he's very aware of has been very divisive and he's very aware as well that there's disappointment in his response so far.

COOPER: The notion of the not -- the U.S. is not going to be engaged in nation building from now on. That's something he talked about obviously during the campaign. Frankly, George W. Bush when he was running talked about not wanting to get involved in nation building. It's one thing to say that, it's a hard thing to resist.

SCIUTTO: It is, no question. I mean, you can see him there speaking to his supporters who voted for him saying I'm fulfilling this promise in effect. But, the fact is, that's really been the direction of U.S. military involvement through multiple presidencies now, after the Iraq invasion to pull back from that kind of ambitious intervention.

COPPER: All right, Jim Sciutto, General Hertling, thanks. Thanks for watching the special edition of 360. Our breaking news coverage of the president's speech continues.

Now, the live Town Hall with House Speaker Paul Ryan hosted by Jake Tapper.