"The longest war in modern U.S. history approaches its 16th anniversary Saturday, and so far there is no end in sight."...US taxpayers are forced to finance corrupt, U.S.-backed warlords in government. "Another aspect of the war in Afghanistan--one that has placed a huge burden on civilians but rarely gets media coverage--is the U.S.-backed government. “The jihadist government of Afghanistan is still in power, and is enjoying the full support of the U.S.,” she says. Recently, for example, “Gulbuddin Hekmatyar--one of the most infamous, bloodthirsty, criminal warlords of the past three decades--was welcomed back to the government by the U.S.”"....
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10/1/2017, "Bob Corker: American troops will be in Afghanistan for another decade," Washington Examiner, John Siciliano
"American troops will remain in Afghanistan for at least another decade, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Sunday.
"But are we likely to have troops in Afghanistan for the next decade? Sure," Corker said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd aired on Sunday.
Todd noted that when Corker was reelected a decade ago there were troops in that country. Corker announced earlier this week he plans to retire from the Senate and won't be running for reelection next year. Todd suggested his successor will still be dealing with the issues surrounding U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2019.
"The entire GDP of Afghanistan cannot support even their security forces," Corker said. "But what matters, Chuck, is what those troops are doing."
The Pentagon unveiled for the first time in August the total number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan stood at 11,000. It said at least 2,000 were there to conduct counter-terrorism missions.
The bulk of the troops, however, are there to support a multi-national force under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to back the support mission in Afghanistan."
7/6/2016, "As Trump vets Corker as running mate, he may see similarities," Chattanooga Times Free Press, Andy Sher
"Amid reports he is emerging as one of the finalists in Donald Trump's search for a running mate, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker met Tuesday with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee in New York City and later introduced the billionaire businessman to a cheering crowd at a Raleigh, N.C., rally.
The Tennessee Republican, former Chattanooga mayor and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has formally submitted vetting materials to the Trump search effort, NBC News reported. Earlier Tuesday, a Corker aide had no comment to the Times Free Press on whether the senator was being vetted.
Later, Corker and Trump flew to Raleigh, where Trump introduced him as a "great friend of mine, someone respected by everyone."
Corker, who also met with Trump at his Trump Tower headquarters in May, told rally attendees he hadn't expected to speak, but noted it had been a "pretty remarkable day" to meet not only with Trump but family members and longtime members of his organization....
"And," Corker said, "I figured out the reason that you love him so much is because [lengthy cheers by crowd and shouts of 'Trump, Trump, Trump'] — I'm taking up his time. Let me just say this, the reason you love him so much is because he loves you. He loves you, and he wants the best for you."
Corker then introduced Trump as "the president — the Republican nominee for president — Donald Trump."
Trump's vetting process is being handled by A.B. Culvahouse Jr., a Washington attorney and one-time top GOP presidential aide who is himself from Tennessee. One fellow Tennessee-based Republican said the two know each other but not all that well.
In Corker, Trump may see someone a little like himself: a blunt, outspoken person who can be quick on his feet and has roots in the construction industry, as well as real estate.
Corker has surprised some in Republican circles by his occasional praise of Trump, including chiding fellow Republicans in early spring to give up on their "stop Trump" effort. He later praised the presumptive nominee's first major foreign policy address. And Corker recently spoke favorably of Trump's comments about Great Britain's "Brexit" vote to leave the European Union.. But he has offered occasional criticisms, as well, albeit mild ones. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, a Republican and former U.S. ambassador to Poland, said in an email that he believes Trump picking Corker as his VP would "strengthen the ticket and be a popular decision."
"Bob's record as a mayor, commissioner of finance in state government and U.S. senator is exceptional," said Ashe, who served as Knoxville's mayor during the time Corker headed Chattanooga government. "He would be an outstanding vice president."
Some have seen Corker as a potential pick by Trump, should he win the presidency over Democrat Hillary Clinton, for secretary of state. Corker, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006, knows world leaders and could be seen in either role as a benefit to Trump."...
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