Afghanistan is being sold up the river by the United States with its swapping of five terrorists for a U.S. Army sergeant, says Tom Rogan, a columnist for the Guardian and contributor to the National Review.
Rogan told "The Steve Malzberg Show'' on Newsmax TV that President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and National Security Adviser Susan Rice have striven to sell the trade as "an easy option, devoid of costs.''
"I think it speaks to the fact that Afghanistan now is just not a priority for them. They're focused on the domestic agenda and they just wanted [Afghanistan] out of the picture," Rogan said.
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There is speculation that the five terrorists being freed will plot to wreak havoc in Afghanistan.
"It's . . . sad because a lot of Americans are putting life and limb on the line in Afghanistan along with American allies. To me, it's aggravating,'' Rogan said.
He also says the Obama administration has undercut the United States' longstanding policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
"Let's be absolutely clear about this. Whatever liberals might say, the president in one moment has fundamentally undercut the long-standing U.S. policy . . . It's a simple fact. It is simply non-negotiable," Rogan said.
"The real problem here, it's not just the influence it might have on al-Qaida but the influence it will have on other groups around the world . . . it's going to create a problem for the CIA, for the State Department especially, in terms of protecting their people.''
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