Lindsey Graham actually said...

The only reason we would not have a counterterrorism force in Afghanistan is because we decided not to ourselves.

Stating that the absence of U.S. forces is a decision made by the U.S.

02/10/2015

More Lindsey Graham Quotes

The Afghan people do not want to return to the oppression of the Taliban.

One of the goals of this BSA is to solidify the relationship between the United States and Afghanistan for at least a 10-year period.

The Government of Afghanistan in many ways is one of the enemies we are fighting here.

I believe it can get better, but the operative part of your phrase is 'over time.'