NATO and Afghanistan War

President Trump sparked an uproar after saying the U.S. had “never needed” NATO allies in Afghanistan and accusing allied troops of staying “a little off the front lines,” drawing criticism from European veterans, families of the fallen and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the remarks “insulting” and “appalling.” After the backlash, Trump posted on Truth Social praising U.K. soldiers as “GREAT and very BRAVE,” noting 457 British deaths and the unbreakable U.S.–U.K. military bond, a point Starmer raised in a weekend phone call and one echoed by Prince Harry, who urged respectful acknowledgment of sacrifices.