France backs Trump pledge to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan

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France recognizes the importance of this undertaking and remains resolutely engaged in the struggle against terrorism, a foreign ministry statement said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...+World+News%29

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Pakistan says U.S. must not make it a 'scapegoat' for Afghan failures

But critics say the Pakistani military nurtures other Islamist factions, including the Afghan Taliban, which are seen as useful to Pakistan s core confrontation with old rival India.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...+World+News%29


US envoy briefs Pakistan army chief on Trump's Afghan plans

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08...test+-+Text%29

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Merkel assuming leadership role in world of erratic strongmen

But now, with the migrant issue under control in Germany, the 63-year-old is ready. Visibly happier, she is campaigning for next month's election with renewed conviction: a resolve to secure a world order threatened by leaders like Trump, Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

On the campaign trail, she likes to invoke the uncertain situation in the world.

The message is clear. Things have changed, the aide said. This means Germany must take on more responsibility.

German foreign policy has been constrained by the legacy of the last World War. But Merkel is pushing Berlin s interests beyond its traditional European sphere.

With North Korea, she says Germany is ready to offer diplomatic and political muscle if required, a senior government source said. Germany is one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang and is willing to do what it can to use this channel to help bring about talks.

At the same time, Merkel is using the trade-based relationship she has nurtured with China to press Beijing to help defuse the dispute.

We must use our good relations with the Chinese to encourage them to come up with constructive proposals on what can be done, said Juergen Hardt, the German government s coordinator for transatlantic policies.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ge...+World+News%29

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Trump must be respected as US president, says Germany's Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday Donald Trump must be shown appropriate respect for holding the office of the US president, even if she may differ with him on policy issues.

Merkel, campaigning for a fourth term in office after a September 24 national election, has refused to bend to pressure from her Social Democrat (SPD) rivals to resist demands by Trump for NATO members to increase their defense spending.

As a committed Atlanticist, she has stressed the strength of German relations with the United States even when flagging differences in opinion on policy.

If you take the president of the United States, whatever differences of opinion there may be, I know he prevailed in a tough election. It wasn't reserved for him on a silver platter, she told business daily Handelsblatt in an interview.

In the end, he won the election under American electoral law and that means he is democratically elected and that this person should be shown the appropriate respect, regardless of how I assess his views, she added

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/T...-Merkel-503216

[Guest]

Quote: ""France backs Trump pledge to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan""

Really nice of them !!! I wonder how much blood and treasure France is willing to contribute???

Oh Yes that's right,,, they're French..... so not much... wonder if they still have the Foreign Legion ???

[SAT]

Hi Lewis

Check out Africa. France has actually been the main force fighting terrorist and instability in Africa for almost ten years now, plus like most of the free world, helping the US in other countries.

Especially in the many French speaking countries in Africa. It was easier for them as they spoke the language. But they seem to be the main force trying to bring stability to Africa. But most in North America never talk about it.

Germany and Japan have both been hesitant, but are coming alive now. Losing their apprehension.

PS
There are reasons why terrorist pick on France, Britain etc etc.