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Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton on the Administration’s strategy in Afghanistan.
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Turning back to Afghanistan now the United States has invested some 641.
Billion dollars of the last decade on the -- there.
We are currently spending 28 billion dollars each day.
The number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan is now more than 2100.
But despite these devastating cost our first guest believes president Obama's plan to reduce the number of US troops at this point.
Only opens the door to Taliban taking over the country joining us former US ambassador the United Nations John Bolton ambassador it's wonderful to have you with us this evening so.
What's concerning here at least two lives is at -- -- -- to be clearing the way for our allies to be negotiating with.
-- -- -- Well that's exactly what's gonna happen the Taliban see the ad decline of American and other NATO forces there they see the evidence.
Desire the president to get out even faster.
And they're simply biding their time until we are gone and what's left of the Afghan government.
Faces near certain defeat from Taliban and al-Qaeda coming out of Pakistan.
That this announcement today is a bad decision by the president but frankly it's only the last in a long series of bad decisions.
That do risk putting all of that sacrifice and we've made that you mention.
In a position where we simply can't sustain what we've accomplished.
And it was certainly -- sacrifice is worth repeating 2174.
American soldiers.
Died in Afghanistan what did we get out of our -- out of our position there out of our presence there.
We got revenge against Taliban and al-Qaeda for killing 3000 Americans on 9/11.
We gave the Afghans -- chance to get their house in order.
But unfortunately we've got to get used to the fact that the terrorists have a long time frame we didn't ask for this war.
We didn't want to be attacked on the American homeland.
We didn't do anything to these people and Afghanistan.
But the issue is whether you want to confront terrorism.
Where it resides or confront it where we resign.
So the US is still vulnerable to terrorism especially if this situation opens the door causes of ripple effect -- where we start.
Negotiating or not necessarily the US ambassador but allies negotiating with Hamas and and other welfare -- But they see this is another example of American weakness and it's true that we've caused al-Qaeda.
Grave damage Osama bin Laden is dead there's no doubt about it but if Taliban -- takes control and Afghanistan it will be only a matter of time.
Before al-Qaeda gets back on its feet and the risks that was posed by.
Al-Qaeda before 9/11 using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism we'll come back to haunt us again and there's a worst case still and that has to do.
With pockets done if if the radicals.
Take Afghanistan.
The weak civilian government of Pakistani.
Will again be vulnerable and what worries people there is that if the radicals takeover won't just be a base for terrorism they will be in control.
Of an arsenal of over sixty nuclear weapons which will make them an instant worldwide terrorist nuclear threat.
-- that's comforting I okay.
It's -- 66000 US troops in Afghanistan the government is still -- security forces unable to essentially fight this war on their own.
Yet the president and you know he has new cabinet members likely coming in.
Avery draw down here what what do you think about what's the appropriate American presence right now.
Well the president doesn't think that the terrorist or threat that's what it boils down to he's already said the global war on terrorism is over so I think he thinks the appropriate number -- zero.
The -- clear we're not there to benefit the Afghans I mean I don't wish the Afghans ill -- -- to benefit ourselves.
And we were never gonna make Afghanistan into -- western style nation we're not gonna make it a pleasant place to live Hamid Karzai said today.
The tourists will be coming soon I don't think so.
We're there to protect Americans and that we have lost sight of that may act and I very much fear that as we pull out Taliban comeback in.
We're gonna be right back where we were -- Would you -- with an utter failure if we're not any safer for I mean you made a point about a summit in -- on being taken out.
And whatnot but I mean they're still a legitimate and serious threat of terrorism because of the situation in Afghanistan at at.
Absolutely now absolutely look people say it's a long war yes it's true it's the longest -- history but but let's be clear it was not fought with the intensity.
Of World War II -- the civil war that this is a long war because the terrorist have a long.
Time horizon and we needed to and that's where we need presidential leadership we have not gotten over the last four years Americans are prepared.
To make sacrifices to protect themselves and their friends and allies.
But we need to have a national conversation about it we've had a real lack of leadership at the presidential level there.
Would you agree that's gonna be compounded here -- -- -- -- he does.
It confirmed this.
Secretary of defense.
Yeah I think I think he's Obama only -- some senses and and I think that's that's what we're gonna see if -- -- interest thing confirmation hearing when he comes out to the senate.
I understand he did vote for you right when he was Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman to be that UN ambassador if you had a vote -- you.
I reciprocate.
Well look in in a perfect world I think the president's -- real deference over his nominations to the cabinet and and senior administration positioned.
But as I can tell you from my own experience that hasn't been the case in a long -- I think that's the wrong way to approach these things but that's the world were -- at the moment.
We sure appreciate your -- -- your insights ambassador John Bolton.
Thank you for having a much more.
