Mattis, in Afghanistan, tries fostering reconciliation as security worsens
Source: Reuters
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 / 12:09 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Idrees Ali
5 MIN READ
KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during an unannounced visit to Kabul on Friday to discuss prospects for peace talks with the Taliban and the country’s deteriorating security situation ahead of upcoming elections.
Mattis was accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General Joseph Dunford, who earlier in the week had gone to Islamabad with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on a mission to reset testy relations with Pakistan’s new government.
The United States has withheld $800 million of military aid from Pakistan this year, having accused Islamabad of turning a blind eye to, or helping, Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network fighters who stage attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies doing so.
The United States is a year into its latest attempt to step up pressure on the Taliban by increasing air strikes and sending thousands more troops to train and advise the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-usa/u-s-defense-secretary-on-unannounced-visit-to-afghanistan-idUSKCN1LN0C1
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