{"id":14936,"date":"2026-01-23T08:16:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T08:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=14936"},"modified":"2026-01-23T08:16:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T08:16:28","slug":"trump-prompts-outrage-with-claim-nato-troops-avoided-frontline-in-afghanistan-donald-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=14936","title":{"rendered":"Trump prompts outrage with claim Nato troops avoided frontline in Afghanistan | Donald Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Donald Trump has provoked outrage among British MPs and veterans after claiming Nato troops stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/nato\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Nato<\/a> would not support the US if asked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">His remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Trump\u2019s avoidance of military service <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2020\/mar\/29\/donald-trump-vietnam-war-veterans-day\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in Vietnam<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A total of 3,486 Nato troops died in the 20-year conflict, of which 2,461 were US service personnel. Canada suffered 165 deaths, including civilians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Denmark, which has been at loggerheads with the US over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jan\/22\/whats-in-trump-greenland-deal-and-will-it-last\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Trump\u2019s designs on Greenland<\/a>, had 44 combat deaths in Afghanistan, the most per capita outside the US.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"af1e900d-2dbc-4459-ba5b-64dfe72c5c75\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"YoutubeBlockComponent\" priority=\"critical\" deferuntil=\"visible\" 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data-video-unique-id=\"rD5mjG6CSoI-5\">\n<div data-testid=\"youtube-sticky-rD5mjG6CSoI-5\" data-is-sticky=\"false\" class=\"dcr-0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1ykam5j\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"0\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-1d0gxus\"><button data-testid=\"youtube-overlay-rD5mjG6CSoI-5\" aria-label=\"Play video: 'We have clear red lines': Greenland\u2019s PM says Trump's demands have been unacceptable \u2013 video\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-rvfwnd\"><picture itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"'We have clear red lines': Greenland\u2019s PM says Trump's demands have been unacceptable \u2013 video\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/28c0366abc6ec8e92429342ab23ee5f6ebe09c2b\/0_285_5616_3159\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" height=\"259\" width=\"460\" class=\"dcr-1qi2at0\"\/><\/picture><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1alawo7\"><svg width=\"36\" height=\"23\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 23\"><path d=\"M3.2 0l-3.2 3.3v16.4l3.3 3.3h18.7v-23h-18.8m30.4 1l-8.6 8v5l8.6 8h2.4v-21h-2.4\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">&#8216;We have clear red lines&#8217;: Greenland\u2019s PM says Trump&#8217;s demands have been unacceptable \u2013 video<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the interview with Fox News, Trump said: \u201cWe\u2019ve never needed them. They\u2019ll say they sent some troops to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/afghanistan\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Afghanistan<\/a> \u2026 and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said Trump\u2019s claim \u201cbears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was \u201csad to see our nation\u2019s sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Tan Dhesi, the chair of the Commons defence committee, said the US president\u2019s comments were \u201cappalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The foreign affairs committee chair, Emily Thornberry, described the comments as \u201cso much more than a mistake\u201d, and \u201can insult\u201d to the families of those who had died.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding being conscripted to fight in Vietnam after being diagnosed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2017\/oct\/23\/john-mccain-donald-trump-vietnam-bone-spurs-medical-deferment\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">bone spurs in his heels<\/a> \u2013 a medical claim that has been subject to significant doubt.<\/p>\n<figure data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.NewsletterSignupBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"EmailSignUpWrapper\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;index&quot;:12,&quot;listId&quot;:4156,&quot;identityName&quot;:&quot;morning-briefing&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;First Edition&quot;,&quot;frequency&quot;:&quot;Every weekday&quot;,&quot;successDescription&quot;:&quot;We'll send you First Edition every weekday&quot;,&quot;theme&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;idApiUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/idapi.theguardian.com&quot;,&quot;hideNewsletterSignupComponentForSubscribers&quot;:true}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Stephen Stewart, a former soldier and an author and journalist, said: \u201cTrump\u2019s comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate. It\u2019s hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam war should make such a disgraceful statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades. If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, said on X: \u201cTrump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bailey added: \u201cAs I reminded the US forces I served with on 4 July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at America\u2019s founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny. That belief underpinned the response to 9\/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The US remains the only country to have invoked article 5 of Nato\u2019s collective security provision, activated after the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Trump #prompts #outrage #claim #Nato #troops #avoided #frontline #Afghanistan #Donald #Trump<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump has provoked outr&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14936"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}