WASHINGTON: Concern is reportedly mounting within the Trump administrationover President Donald Trump’s interest in a proposal to privatize the warin Afghanistan.
Trump unveiled last year a new effort to gain ground against the Talibanand bring the group to the negotiating table. But the renewed effort hasfailed to secure the advances Trump sought, and he has been increasinglyfrustrated over the lack of progress in the US-led campaign.
The quagmire has renewed his interest in a proposal by the former head ofthe controversial Blackwater private military group to largely swap out UStroops in the country with contractors. The private contractors wouldreport to a government envoy who would, in turn, report to Trump, accordingto NBC News.
The plan by Erik Prince, the former Blackwater CEO, was first floated lastyear when Trump was mulling a new Afghanistan strategy. But it has beenvociferously opposed by the president’s closest aides.
A video recently shot by Prince has renewed Trump’s interest, an anonymoussenior administration said, according to NBC. In the video Prince arguesthe US could save money – one of Trump’s must publicly reiterated promises– by adopting the proposal.
A National Security Council spokeswoman said, however, that “no suchproposal from Erik Prince is under consideration.”
“The President adopted the South Asia strategy after months of deliberationamong his key national security advisors,” the spokeswoman, who discussedthe matter publicly, said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.
“The President, like most Americans, would like to see more progress inAfghanistan. However, he also recognizes that withdrawing precipitouslyfrom Afghanistan would lead to the re-emergence of terrorist safe havens,putting American national security and lives in danger,” she added.
In an interview with NBC News, Prince said Trump’s advisers are drawing“as rosy a picture as they can” about the situation in Afghanistan, and“over-emphasize the fluff and flare of these so-called peace talks.” “Iknow he’s frustrated,” Prince said of Trump. “He gave the Pentagon whatthey wanted… And they haven’t delivered.”