By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) South Suburban Congressman Adam Kinzinger is supporting President Trump’s new plan to increase U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan.

The Channahon Republican told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that Trump was correct on Monday night when he laid out the administration’s approach to the war of almost 16 years, which has claimed more than 2,000 US lives and cost billions of dollars since it was launched by President George W. Bush in October 2001.

“This was a very good speech and a very good strategy”, said Kinzinger, “It’s not Viet Nam. You know we’re not sending the 82nd Airborne Brigade, we’re sending a few thousand more troops. We’re gonna work to stand up the Afghan military which is fighting actually much better than they ever have.”

There have been reports that Trump wants to send an additional four thousand troops, although the President has not been specific on that number. Trump also did not say how long the troops would remain, a tactic Kinzinger praised. The congressman says President Obama harmed U.S. efforts when he announced when he was pulling troops out of Afghanistan, which Kinzinger says gave the Taliban time to wait out the Americans.

The President also declared that the US will avoid nation building, concentrating instead on empowering the Afghans to fight their own battles. Under Trump, the US will also continue to engage regional neighbors, such as India and Pakistan, in efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

Kinzinger believes that ultimately, the renewed U.S. commitment will lead the Taliban to the negotiating table.

“The best thing the military can do is drive the conditions on the ground to force a favorable diplomatic solution.”

@ 2017 WLS-AM News