After sociopathic demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump's scripted, I-won't-tell-you-what-I'm-going-to-do speech on Afghanistan last night, many were left wondering what his strategy is, aside from a continuation of current operations, possibly with a brigade or so added to our forces there. As past Administrations have, he criticized Pakistan for harboring terrorist fighters, and called on Afghans to govern themselves. The oddest point was his encouragement of India to join in economic development and security efforts in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, as if India wants to help its nuclear-armed nemesis Pakistan in any substantial way.
Tonight in Phoenix, Rump will be back to campaign mode, likely going back to off-script messaging, where he's most natural in venting his rage and bigotry and which produce the most outrageous statements. His devoted cult there will cheer anything he says and does, which may include announcing a pardon for convicted bigot, former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Notably, the state's Rethuglican governor, Doug Ducey, has apparently found better things to do than attend the rally with Rump, and certainly the state's two Rethug Senators and frequent Rump critics, John McCain and Jeff Flake, won't be there either. Flake in particular has been in Rump's doghouse over public criticisms, despite a 95% pro-Trump voting record in the Senate, and Rump has praised Kelli Ward, a wingnut rival of Flake's recently. In any event, expect Rump to be in his true element, reverting to the xenophobic, racist, vulgar authoritarian that his cult loves, while he basks in their cheering.
BONUS: Not surprisingly, the "strategy" Rump recited from his teleprompter last night had only one bottom line:
Trump’s private deliberations — detailed in interviews with more than a dozen senior administration officials and outside allies — revealed a president unattached to any particular foreign-policy doctrine, but willing to be persuaded as long as he could be seen as a strong and decisive leader. (our emphasis)The Potemkin "President"!
