Us defense secretary mattis visits afghanistan

Here's a summary of US Defense Secretary James Mattis' visit to Afghanistan in 2017:

Date: September 27-28, 2017

Purpose: Mattis' visit was aimed at assessing the progress of the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan, known as Resolute Support Mission (RSM), and to discuss the country's security situation with Afghan leaders.

Meetings: Mattis met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and other senior government officials to discuss the country's security challenges, including the Taliban insurgency and the threat from ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).

Assessment: Mattis expressed his concerns about the slow pace of progress in the war against the Taliban and the need for more effective counter-terrorism efforts. He also praised the bravery and sacrifices of Afghan security forces, who have been fighting against the Taliban and other terrorist groups.

Security situation: Mattis acknowledged that the security situation in Afghanistan remains challenging, with the Taliban still controlling or influencing nearly 40% of the country's territory. He also expressed concerns about the growing threat from ISIS-K, which has been gaining strength in eastern Afghanistan.

US strategy: Mattis reiterated the US commitment to supporting the Afghan government and security forces, and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that includes military, economic, and political efforts. He also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, particularly with Pakistan, to address the root causes of terrorism in the region.

Taliban talks: Mattis did not rule out the possibility of direct talks with the Taliban, but emphasized that any negotiations would need to be led by the Afghan government and would require the Taliban to renounce violence and recognize the country's constitution.

Next steps: Mattis announced that the US would be increasing its military presence in Afghanistan, with an additional 3,000 troops to be deployed to support the Afghan security forces. He also emphasized the need for continued international support for the Afghan government and security forces.

Overall, Mattis' visit to Afghanistan was seen as an important opportunity to assess the progress of the US-led mission and to discuss the country's security challenges with Afghan leaders. His comments highlighted the complexity and challenges of the conflict, but also emphasized the US commitment to supporting the Afghan government and security forces.