
A top Pentagon official took an unannounced trip to Afghanistan on February 11 to meet with us commanders and Afghan leaders amid a renewed push for peace with the Taliban as the Trump administration seeks to end the 17-year-war-the longest in the history of the United States. Kabul is also concerned that a sharp drawdown of USA forces could lead to chaos in the region.
The statement said that "the trip is part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that protects United States national security interests and brings all Afghan parties together in an intra-Afghan dialogue through which they can determine a path for their country's future".
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday offered the Taliban the possibility of opening an office in Afghanistan but the proposal was swiftly spurned by the group that is determined to keep his government out of accelerating peace talks.
He also met his Afghan counterpart Asadullah Khalid in Kabul and reassured him that the U.S. military would not abandon Afghan soldiers in their battle against the militants.
"We are conducting (military) operations in different provinces and the Taliban has sustained heavy casualties", Jawed said. It has also refused to negotiate directly with the Ghani's government, calling it a "puppet" of the West. So far, though, he noted that the Taliban have been unwilling to take this step, arguing that the government is illegitimate.
Khalilzad told an audience at the U.S. Institute of Peace on Friday that he hopes a final deal can be clinched before Afghanistan's presidential election in July.
The Taliban wants all foreign troops withdrawn from Afghanistan. The unannounced visit is the first for the acting secretary of defense, Pat Shanahan.
Afghan and U.S. forces have increased airstrikes against Taliban positions throughout Afghanistan in the past several months.
Afghanistan and neighbouring countries are concerned about the effect of a sudden withdrawal of United States forces on the region. The US is increasingly confident it will soon be able to withdraw its troops from Syria.
Turkey urges China to respect Uighur rights, close camps
Muslims, which make up around 45 per cent of Xinjiang's population, have long accused Chinese authorities of cultural, religious and economic discrimination.
Trump to sign executive order launching artificial intelligence initiative
Create resources: It will seek to make federal data, computer models, and computing resources available to AI researchers. Follow the White House OSTP on Twitter for more updates on the Trump administration's "American AI Initiative".
Newborn girl rescued from drain pipe in Durban
Others have also been saying that the mother of the baby should not be judged because no one knows her circumstances . The baby was recovered and flown to a hospital in Durban where she was reportedly treated for mild hypothermia.
"The presence we want in Afghanistan is what assures our homeland defence and supports regional stability and then any type of sizing is done in a coordinated and disciplined manner", he said.
He said it was crucial Kabul, whose representatives were not at the talks in Qatar, was involved in discussions over the future of Afghanistan.
As the United States mulls withdrawal from Afghanistan, recent media coverage has been punctuated with defeatism.
Mr. Shanahan told reporters earlier that he had no instructions from Washington to begin a withdrawal.
Alokozay said it is not clear whether Afghan or U.S. forces conducted the strikes.
Officials have expressed concern that Afghan security forces, already stretched thin, could crumble if USA troops leave.
"What we see here today is how capability is being generated and the commitment of special forces to fighting the Taliban", Shanahan said.
Shanahan's views on the Afghan war are not widely known.
Afghanistan's highly regarded special forces units suffered increasingly heavy casualties past year as the Taliban mounted major assaults on provincial centers including Ghazni city and Farah city in the southwest.
Champions League: PSG win to end Manchester United's unbeaten run under Solskjaer
To make matters worse for Solskjaer, the interim United manager, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard hobbled off with injuries. United has only scored one goal at home in four Champions League games this season, a 1-0 victory over Young Boys.
Sarri wants new players - if he keeps his job
But this weekend showed that at the top two it is lesser heralded players who are essential to their title bids. In Italy you have more time when you play, more time to manage the ball and they do it beautifully, no doubt.
Apex Legends Valentine's Event Coming Soon
And it seems like much of that success has trickled down to Titanfall 2 , Respawn's preceding first-person shooter. Apex Legends released virtually out of nowhere on February 4 and was met with immediate and widespread acclaim.
Warren: Trump May Not Even Be A Free Person In 2020
Trump has not been charged with any crimes, but several of his former advisers have pleaded guilty to a variety of charges. She said "America's middle class has been deliberately hollowed out" by "the richest families in America".
Marcus Morris explains why he called out his team
The Clippers came back from 28 points down to beat the Celtics 123-112, the biggest comeback in Clippers' history. Trade deadline's over. "It's unacceptable what we did tonight for a team of our caliber".
Cardi B has quit Instagram following her Grammy-winning backlash
While the tweet was swiftly deleted, Minaj's fans flooded the network's social media accounts in support of the rapper. Cardi B unleashed with an expletive-filled rant on her Instagram account, then deactivated her account entirely.
Russian parliament approves bill to isolate country's internet
Average Russians would not lose internet access; the plan would instead change how internet traffic is handled on the back-end. The exact test date has not been revealed, but it's scheduled to take place before April 1, 2019.
Antonio Brown demands trade from Steelers on Twitter; would Patriots call?
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter , Brown has neither been traded nor released, but has requested a trade from the Steelers . Rooney also said the team has "left everything open" when it comes to Brown's future with the franchise.
Growing list of Democrats vying for 2020 presidential nod
Minneapolis and the nearby Mississippi River will also play a central role in Klobuchar's speech, according to an adviser. Klobuchar announced with a view on trump's style of government, it will be no "foreign policy by Tweet".
Jody Wilson-Raybould resigns from cabinet
Get the day's breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. "I only wish that I could have served you longer", she writes.
Cannabis smoker finds tiger in abandoned house in Texas
The tiger was insufficiently housed and left alone, but police said it was well-fed and appeared to be healthy. We questioned them as to whether they were under the effects of the drugs or they actually saw a tiger.
Trump supporter attacks cameraman at rally
Trump's rally in El Paso was also his first direct clash with potential 2020 presidential rival Beto O'Rourke. He yells "fuck the media" twice before being led away.
Iranians mark 40th anniversary of the revolution
Many people carried pictures of Khomeini, who died in 1989, and Iran's current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He said, "The United States does not have the courage to shoot a single bullet at us".
Katy Perry’s shoe label accused of ‘blackface’
They are available on her website and through retailers around the world including Dillard's and Walmart in the United States. Retailers have pulled shoes from singer Katy Perry's namesake brand after they came under fire for resembling blackface.
Former Chesterfield goalkeeper and World Cup hero Gordon Banks dies aged 81
England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has passed away at the age of 81. He was sold to Stoke for £50,000 in 1967, helping them win the League Cup in 1972.