There is no way to uncouple the massive surge in Afghan’s opium production from the burgeoning crisis of opioid use in the United States. In banishing all thought of an Afghan “endgame,” has Trump just made our “national emergency” of opioid abuse a permanent one?
Less than two days later, Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced that Trump had made a decision on the United States’ strategy for Afghanistan after a “sufficiently rigorous” review process. The writing seemed to be on the wall regarding what was to come for the U.S.’ longest war in its history, as the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan approaches its 17th year. And indeed it was.
