Defense Secretary Jim Mattis makes unannounced stop in Kabul

[TomSea]

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis makes unannounced stop in Kabul
By Robert Burns Associated Press  March 13, 2018

KABUL, Afghanistan — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday he believes victory in Afghanistan is still possible — not necessarily on the battlefield but in facilitating a Taliban reconciliation with the Afghan government.

Mattis spoke shortly before arriving in Kabul, where security concerns were so high that reporters traveling with him were not allowed to publish stories until his party had moved from the Kabul airport to the US-led military coalition’s headquarters. That was the first such restriction on coverage of a Pentagon chief’s visit in memory.

Mattis said he would be meeting with President Ashraf Ghani and top US commanders.

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