U.S. President Donald Trump says his new strategy in Afghanistan will not be based on "arbitrary timelines," but conditions on the ground.
In a major address to the nation on August 21, Trump also said he would not "talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities."
Trump, speaking at the Fort Myer military base near Washington, was outlining his strategy to address Afghanistan and the South Asia region.
He said the United States was in Afghanistan not for nation building, but rather, "we are killing terrorists."
Trump also said the United States needs a plan for an “honorable and enduring outcome" in Afghanistan, and added that a rapid exit would have “unacceptable” consequences.
The president also warned that Washington will no longer tolerate Pakistan offering "safe havens" to extremist groups like the Afghan Taliban, a claim Islamabad denies.
"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations," Trump said.
The United States currently maintains 8,400 troops in Afghanistan -- a cap set last year by then-President Barack Obama.
About 5,000 non-U.S. NATO forces are also still in the country.
