WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th December, 2018) US President Donald Trump said during an unannounced visit to Iraq on Wednesday that the United States cannot remain the world's policeman.
"The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States."
Trump explained that other countries should and have expressed willingness to contribute to defeating terror groups such as the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia).
"In Syria, [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan said he wants to knock out ISIS [Islamic State], whatever's left, the remnants of ISIS. And Saudi Arabia just came out and said they are going to pay for some economic development. Which is great, that means we do not have to pay," Trump said.
Trump pointed out that the United States' military presence has been stretched thin globally - a situation he characterized as ridiculous.
"We are spread out all over the world. We are in countries most people have not even heard about. Frankly, it's ridiculous," Trump said.
On December 19, the White House announced the United States would withdraw all 2,000 troops from Syria within 60 to 100 days given that the Islamic State had been defeated there. The administration also said it plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan as well.
