Trump has new Afghan strategy

Rapid exit of troops would create a vacuum for terrorists, he says

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump unveiled his new Afghanistan strategy on Monday in a national address, calling a rapid exit of the US troops from Afghanistan "unacceptable" and pledging a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions.

In a 30-minute speech, Trump ruled out a quick exit of US troops, saying that a "nasty withdrawal" would have unacceptable consequences and "create a vacuum" that terrorists including the Islamic State and al-Qaida would instantly fill.