Afghanistan pullout??

Graham to Trump: Afghanistan pullout could cause another 9/11

By AUSTIN WRIGHT

Sen. Lindsey Graham warned President Donald Trump Friday that pulling troops out of Afghanistan could lay the groundwork for another 9/11.

Trump is traveling to Camp David on Friday with his chief national security aides to discuss the path forward for the 16-year-old U.S. war there.

The South Carolina Republican urged Trump in a statement to “listen to his generals” — an apparent request for the president to prioritize the views of military commanders over those of his just-dismissed chief strategist Steve Bannon, who reportedly wants to replace U.S. troops in Afghanistan with private contractors.

“If we were to pull all our troops from Afghanistan it would be a disaster for our national security interests and set the stage for another 9/11 on American soil,” Graham said. “I hope President Trump, unlike his predecessor, will not put our military in a bad spot in Afghanistan. He should give them the tools and support they need to confront the rising terror threats in Afghanistan.”

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters the administration was “very close” to a decision on the next steps for the U.S. in Afghanistan.