America cannot be the world's policeman: US President Trump
What's the story
America cannot be the policeman of the world, US President Donald Trump said during his first visit to Iraq as he urged other countries to share responsibilities. Trump, on a surprise visit to US troops stationed in Iraq, defended his decision to pull American troops out of war-torn Syria, saying that there would be no delays. Read the details here.
Promise
Trump vows 'harsh response' if terrorists attack America again
"The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said at a military base west of Baghdad, soon after he addressed American soldiers. Trump, on his first visit to Iraq as the US President, is accompanied by First Lady Melania. Trump vowed for a "harsh response" from his administration if there was to be another terrorist attack on America.
Quote
'It's not fair when the burden is all on us'
"If anything should happen at all, nobody will ever have suffered the consequences they had suffered," said Trump. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States," he said, as he defended his decision to withdraw troops from Syria.
Statement
Gave 'generals' multiple 'extensions' to get out of Syria: Trump
Trump's decision allows regional countries, Turkey, in particular, to complete the work of finishing the remnants of the ISIS terror group, and Saudi Arabia to invest in the development of the war-ravaged country. Trump even described how he gave "the generals" multiple six-month "extensions" to get out of Syria. "They said again, recently, can we have more time? I said, 'Nope'," said the president.
Complaint
Countries should share burden but they're not doing it: Trump
"We've knocked them out. We've knocked them silly," said Trump referring to the generals. He further said, "I've had some very good talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who wants to knock them out also and he'll do it. And others will do it too." "They should be sharing the burden of costs and they're not," the US President said.
Fallout
Mattis resigned over Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria
Last week, Trump surprised the world by announcing that the US is pulling out its troops from Syria. The US currently has some 2,000 troops in Syria, which are now gradually headed home. James Mattis, the US Defense Secretary, resigned in protest. Trump has argued that the US now no longer needs to be present in Syria now that ISIS has been defeated.
Military help
'We don't want to be taken advantage of any more'
"We don't want to be taken advantage of any more by countries that use us and use our military to protect them. They don't pay for it," said Trump, adding "they're going to have to". Commenting over supports, he said, "In Syria, Erdogan said he wants to knock out ISIS. Saudi Arabia said they're going to pay for some economic development, which is great."