https://www.oann.com/pompeo-afghans-nee ... hemselves/
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media with members of the Republican Study Committee about Iran on April 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. The group has proposed legislation that would expand sanctions on Iran and aim to prevent the U.S. reentering the Iran deal. (Photo by Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
Fmr. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media on April 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:59 AM PT – Saturday, July 17, 2021
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said it’s time for the Afghan people to go against the Taliban themselves as the terrorist fighters continue to swiftly gain territories across the country. After speaking at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on Friday, Pompeo told reporters the U.S. must take action to prevent growing terror threats from the Middle East.
Pompeo added the Afghan people must have courage to fight the war on terror, noting it’s a “matter of will.” He reiterated, “we don’t need to send Americans to fight if the Afghan people aren’t willing to fight for their freedom.”
The former secretary of state then pointed out how much funding the U.S. has given Afghanistan, stating he is confident the Afghan people can get the job done.
“We gave them 20 years, $30 billion a year of our assistance. We gave them all the training they could handle. It’s time for them to step forward and actually deliver on security for themselves,” stressed Pompeo. “I am confident that they can do that. I pray that the Afghans will make the right decisions and they’ll do just that.”
Meanwhile, Pompeo is noted as being the only secretary of state to have negotiated directly with senior Taliban officials.
