WHY DONALD AS PRESIDENT IS ANTITHESIS TO TRUMP?

nbcnews.com

In one of the most blatant reversals, President Donald Trump has promised increased troop numbers in Afghanistan, where the US is far from winning the war. While the decision, no doubt, is a welcome step, it also exposes his penchant to flip-flops.  His gaffes, by now notorious, seem to be part of his split personality. And he is unabashedly unruffled!  

If one pores over his earlier tweets, Donald Trump comes across as a person who was dead against committing troops in the war-torn country and pooh-poohed the then President Barrack Obama for his administration’s decision to keep at least 9,800 troops in the Central Asian nation through most of 2016, with at least 5,500 of them till the end of 2017. Throughout his campaign rhetoric, Trump committed to withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which went down well with the US citizens.

And eight months into his presidency, Trump has chosen to eat crow.

“We have wasted an enormous amount of blood and treasure in Afghanistan. Their government has zero appreciation. Let's get out!” said Trump in a series of tweets on November 21, 2013. And he followed it up with another tweet. “Do not allow our very stupid leaders to sign a deal that keeps us in Afghanistan through 2024-with all costs by U.S.A. MAKE AMERICA GREAT!”

Ten months ago (September 12, 2012), Trump had tweeted: “84% of US troops wounded & 70% of our brave men & women killed in Afghanistan have all come under Obama. Time to get out of there.”

But in a televised address on Monday, he announced a new “fight-to-win” strategy for Afghanistan. There are also reports that he is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan.

"The consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable," President Trump said. "A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including ISIS and al Qaeda, would instantly fill."

It was unbecoming of a presidential candidate to use derogatory language against the then President of the country of his origin also. Has Trump not bloodied his nose today by committing more money and forces in Afghanistan?

“Why are we continuing to train these Afghanis who then shoot our soldiers in the back? Afghanistan is a complete waste. Time to come home!” tweeted Trump exactly five years ago (August 21, 2012) drawing a howl of protests from Afghani leaders and people.

So, will President Trump tell his nation the reason behind his change of heart when he said:  "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."

The list is endless. Now his positions on China, Syria, NATO, to name a few, are in stark contrast to what he thundered before the people of the US elected him as their president.

Therefore, it is not surprising then that Trump’s approval ratings are slipping every time he opens his mouth. He will perhaps be the only US president who is not approved by the majority of the people within one year of his office.