Trump’s national security adviser gave a briefing to the House GOP on Afghanistan

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Trump’s former national security adviser Robert O’Brien spoke for more than an hour with House Republicans on Tuesday, helping them develop their latest offensive policy in Afghanistan, Axios learned.

Why it matters: O’Brien is increasingly working with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) To help House Republicans in their efforts to regain the majority in 2022.

O’Brien recently joined McCarthy for his annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He will also appear with the minority leader Wednesday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California, where the two will discuss the House Republicans ’foreign policy agenda with the conservative radio host. Hugh Hewitt. The bill helped make the event the most substantial address of McCarthy’s foreign policy to date in 2022.

What we hear: During the call, O’Brien walked members through a series of policy proposals focused on “rebuilding America’s credibility,” a source with direct knowledge of the call said to Axios.

He said the perception of vulnerability was very provocative, and warned that countries like China and Russia would attempt to exploit the region following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. A proposal he supported included the immediate shipment of 250 M1 Abrams tanks to Poland to strengthen defense capabilities in The east on the European front along with Russia, while the Poles await the previously purchased US tanks. Adrien and McCarthy were tasked with the upcoming Rep. Proposal. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), Who would prevent the US from giving money to the Taliban and ban From formally recognizing it by the US as a legitimate entity. Greg Smith, vice president of O’Brien’s consultant firm American Global Strategies LLC, confirmed some details of the call for Axios.

But, but, but: While House Republicans hope to reach out to Democrats because of Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Biden administration says the war was started by one Republican George W. Bush and ended by another, Donald Trump.

In addition, Trump’s Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, negotiated an agreement with the Taliban that would prevent attacks on American forces in the country in exchange for a May 1 withdrawal and the release of 5,000 prisoners of war. Taliban. Some include some of the Taliban’s top war commanders, including those who only controlled Afghanistan. The deal was cinched while OBrien was national security adviser.

President Biden made the point in a speech Tuesday to highlight the Trump / Pompeo deal.

“And by the time I got into office, the Taliban was in the strongest military position since 2001, controlling or fighting almost half of the country,” Biden said. “So, we were left with a simple decision: Either follow the promise made by the last administration and leave Afghanistan, or say we won’t leave and make another tens of thousands more troops return to the war.”

Go deeper: House Republicans target Democrats in recognition of the Taliban

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