Trump advisers propose expanding military efforts against Taliban: report

President Trump’s top military and foreign policy advisers reportedly proposed a new military strategy in Afghanistan that would deploy U.S. troops to fight against the Taliban, according to a Monday Washington Post report.

Such a decision would mark a major shift in government’s approach, if approved.

The goal of an expanded military presence would be to fight back against the Taliban to the point that the terror organization will negotiate, U.S. officials tell the Post.

{mosads}Trump has yet to approve the plan, but his top Cabinet officials reportedly support it. The Post said the plan would give the Pentagon broader authority to decide how many troops are stationed in Afghanistan and when to use airstrikes on Taliban fighters. 

It also calls for expanding the U.S. military role as part of a broader effort to push back an increasingly resurgent Taliban and bring it to the negotiating table, U.S. officials told the Post.

The Post’s report comes after Trump repeatedly promised to “start winning” again, amid worsening security in a region destabilized from more than 15 years of war. 

Restrictions created under the Obama administration would likely be lifted, giving military advisers more freedom to make decisions on the battlefield.

Trump is reportedly expected to make his final decision on the strategy before he attends the NATO summit in Brussels on May 25.

It is unclear whether the president will support the plan.