Top American General In Afghanistan: Russia Undermining The United States And NATO

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) questioned General John Nicholson on the current situation in Afghanistan today in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

GRAHAM: “You mentioned in your testimony that you see a change in Russian behavior for the worse. Is that correct?”

NICHOLSON: “Yes Senator.”

GRAHAM: “What do you think their goals are in Afghanistan? Why are they changing?”

NICHOLSON: “Senator, I think their goal is to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.” https://youtu.be/1Lw1eH_9O60?t=11s

GRAHAM: “Can we win [in Afghanistan]?”

NICHOLSON: “Yes sir.” https://youtu.be/1Lw1eH_9O60?t=1m44s

GRAHAM: “Do you think, generally speaking, the Afghans want democracy?”

NICHOLSON: “Yes Senator. They want a representative form of government. They have a form of social democracy that’s existed for centuries and centuries.”

GRAHAM: “…The democracy that they’re practicing now is relatively new to the country – is that fair to say?”

NICHOLSON: “Yes sir.”

GRAHAM: “And it’s hard… it’s hard here. We need to be patient with people in Afghanistan because they’re just starting a process that we’ve been doing for 200 years.” https://youtu.be/1Lw1eH_9O60?t=1m12s

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