President Trump's Top General, National Security Adviser Clash On Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley 

ABC News: In open split, Trump's top general, national security adviser clash on Afghanistan troop withdrawal 

"I'm speaking for the president," Robert O'Brien shot back at Gen. Mark Milley. President Donald Trump's top military chief and national security adviser are in open disagreement about U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In different public appearances, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley have contradicted each other on whether U.S. troops will withdraw -- a marked display of chaos surrounding Trump's push to end the 19-year-old war in the weeks before the 2020 election. 

Trump himself has added to that confusion, tweeting last week that all remaining U.S. service members "should ... be home by Christmas." 

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WNU Editor: National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien is speaking for the President. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley is not the person to decide what U.S. policy towards Afghanistan should be. This is not the first time that the Pentagon is butting heads with the White House. It is almost as if some in the Pentagon have made the calculation that President Trump will be gone in a few months, so why push the President's agenda when his opponent has already committed that he would keep a small force in Afghanistan should he win the election... 

 More News On President Trump's Top General And National Security Adviser Clashing On Afghan Troop Withdrawal 

White House National Security Adviser takes shot at top general in open rift on Afghanistan -- CNN O'Brien takes indirect shot at Milley over Afghanistan drawdown -- Politico Trump adviser shoots back at top general: 'I wasn't speculating' on Afghanistan troop levels -- The Hill O'Brien confirms Trump ordered Pentagon to cut U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early 2021 -- NBC

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