Moscow dubbing Trump policy dead end predictable: official

Russia is seeking to undermine American reputation in Afghanistan and South Asia region, a senior U.S. official has said after Moscow termed President Donald Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan as a “dead end”.

“Well, I think that Russia’s reaction is very predictable. They’ve been starting some very unhelpful propaganda with regard the U.S. role in Afghanistan. You’ve probably seen Russian officials trying to claim that the U.S. is supporting ISIS [the Islamic State] in Afghanistan, which is a fictitious statement,” a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call.

‘Emphasis on force’

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was responding to questions on Russian scepticism over Mr. Trump’s new policy on Afghanistan and South Asia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had told reporters on Friday in Moscow that the new Afghan strategy was a “dead end.”

The strategy “puts emphasis on force” he said.

According to the U.S. official, the Russian reaction was predictable.

“Unfortunately, I think the Russians have taken a very tactical view here, and they are seeking to undermine our reputation in the region, and so false information about U.S. objectives.”

Explaining that the Afghan and South Asia strategy was not a military only strategy, the official said this was a strong, diplomatic, political element, even economic element to the strategy.