President Trump has announced his plans to deal with the ongoing attempt to stabilize Afghanistan, while delivering a stern warning to the leaders of both Afghanistan and Pakistan. American troops have now been involved in Afghanistan for 16 years, making it the longest war in American history.

.@POTUS: "We cannot repeat in Afghanistan the mistake our leaders made in Iraq." https://t.co/6LlbVnA1ck pic.twitter.com/uZxPmAxle0

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

.@POTUS: "The security threats that we face in Afghanistan, and the broader region, are immense." https://t.co/6LlbVnipNK pic.twitter.com/Tlg8dlvn5X

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

A welcome surprise in the speech was Trump’s clear calling out of Pakistan.

.@POTUS: "Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror." https://t.co/6LlbVnA1ck pic.twitter.com/GW0Z7drxdn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

And Trump was excruciatingly direct about what his policy will be.

.@POTUS: "We are not nation-building again, we are killing terrorists." pic.twitter.com/C1tDpnYLtr

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

And he signaled a major shift on the “rules of engagement” and the second-guessing that happens thousands of miles from the front lines.

POTUS: Micromanagement from Washington D.C. does not win battles

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 22, 2017

It is clear that the time taken to deliberate policy with the generals and commanders – and consider all the former military that Trump has surrounded himself with now in the White House – has made an impact on the president’s decision making. Multiple media outlets had put a number of 4000 troops out in print before the speech, but that may only be a beginning. Trump pointedly did not put any numbers out there.

.@POTUS: "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities." https://t.co/6LlbVnA1ck pic.twitter.com/avrenNt1gS

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

.@POTUS: "Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary time tables, will guide our strategy from now on." https://t.co/6LlbVnA1ck pic.twitter.com/OTgkojE6qg

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

But there was a clear warning to Afghanistan: pull it together, because the United States is running out of patience.

.@POTUS: "Our commitment is not unlimited and our support is not a blank check." pic.twitter.com/EyGhdn3BHb

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

.@POTUS: "America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress." https://t.co/6LlbVnA1ck pic.twitter.com/vVylRiqw7d

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

While there are still major questions about the “hows” of the policy, the overall first impression has been positive.

.@LindseyGrahamSC on new strategy in Afghanistan: "I am very pleased with this plan and I am very proud of my president." pic.twitter.com/pf5klA5UC2

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2017

Guys I know who've fought there in the last decade say Obama's strict RoEs were killing them. Could make a difference.

— Tom (@ThisIsMajorTom2) August 22, 2017

Trump's tough talk on Pakistan's double-dealing is honest and refreshing. Euphemism on this is counterproductive. #Afghanistan

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) August 22, 2017

Pakistani officials have to think that the situation has (potentially) changed in dramatic ways.

— Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) August 22, 2017

Trump's speech was good. There are many reasons to be skeptical that 4000 support troops will lead to the victory he promises.

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) August 22, 2017

After nearly 16 years, something has to change. As an Army sister, I dread the thought of more boots on the ground. But, as the president noted when he recalled the many valiant men and women who gave their lives in the War on Terror who now rest at Arlington, just beyond the gate from where he gave the speech at Fort Myer, we cannot let their sacrifice be in vain. “We will fight to win.”