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President Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster onSaturday defended President Trump's strategy on winning the war in Afghanistan.

The president has not announced a comprehensive strategy on Afghanistan yet, but according to McMaster he has madea number of decisions" on the military approach there.

"The presidents already made some important decisions onAfghanistan," McMaster said inan interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that airedSaturday.

McMaster said Trump does not necessarily want to telegraph his intentions. "Youve heard inpieces" the strategy, he said.

"And what were endeavoring to do is pull this all together in a regional strategy thatmakes sense," he continued. Trump has authorized the Pentagon to take the lead ona number of military decisions during his administration.

McMaster also added that the White House wants to see a "change in behavior" from interested groups in the region, particularly Pakistan. The top aide said that while Pakistan has taken "great losses" fighting the Taliban, they have done so "selectively."

"This is Pakistan in particular that we want to really see a change in and a reduction of their support for these groups," he said. "I mean, this is of course, you know, a very paradoxical situation, right, where Pakistan is taking great losses."

"They have fought very hard against these groups," McMaster argued, "but theyve done so really only selectively."

He said that Trump is making clear that the U.S. will no longer tolerate any support for the Taliban or related groups.

"The president has also made clear that he, that we need to see a change in behavior of those in the region, which includes those who are providing safe haven and support bases for the Taliban," McMaster added.

McMaster defended the campaignin Afghanistan, arguing they had seen "tremendous" success in the country.

"Theres a tremendously successful campaign going on with Afghan forces in the lead. Its an unreported campaign in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan," McMaster said.

"Were not gonna talk tactics anymore, right?" headded. "Everythingbefore was, you know, troop levels and very specific details announcing to theenemy years in advance exactly the number of troops youre gonna have, exactly what theyregonna do and what theyre not gonna do. And so the president has said, that 'That is not the wayto fight a war. It never has been.' This is an invention of recent years."

McMaster also said the president "absolutely" has confidencein the commander in charge of the U.S. war effort against the Taliban and ISIS in Afghanistan.

The general defended Trump's decisions in Afghanistan andthe commander in charge of the mission following reports that the president wantsto fire him.

According to reports this week of a situation room meeting in July, Trump believes Gen. John Nicholson - the commanderin charge of Afghanistan -is "losing" the war inthe country.

"Ive known him for many years," McMaster said of Nicholson. "I cant imagine a more capable commander on any mission."

He said the president "absolutely" has confidence inNicholson. McMaster also reportedly defended the generalin the situation room meeting.

McMaster himself has been the target of right-wing Trump supporters outraged at the general'sdecision to renewsecurity clearance for Susan Rice, former PresidentBarack ObamaBarack ObamaOvernight Tech: Senate panel approves FCC nominees | Dem group invests in progressive startups | Tech groups rip Trump immigration plan Russian PM: New sanctions amount to 'full-scale trade war' America's divisions: The greatest strategic vulnerability of our time MORE's national security adviser.

"General McMaster and Iare workingvery welltogether," Trump said in a statement Friday. "He is a good man and very pro-Israel. I am grateful for the work he continues to doserving our country."

McMaster in the interview with Hewitt alsoargued that Trump's loosening of restrictions on the military was beginning to see a "payoff."

"The president has said that, he does not want to place restrictions on the military that undermine our ability to win battles in combat," McMaster added. "He has lifted those restrictions, and youre beginning to see the payoff of that as well."

Link:
McMaster: Trump has made 'a number of decisions' on Afghanistan - The Hill