New US Defense Chief in Afghanistan Seeking 'Lasting' Success
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - New US Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday on his first trip since taking over the job this week, saying he wanted to talk to Afghan and American officials to ensure a "lasting" success as US troops withdraw.
Carter, who was sworn in on Tuesday, has suggested he would be open to slowing US withdrawal plans, if necessary. But he did not signal whether he was leaning in that direction in comments to reporters shortly before landing in Kabul.
"We’re looking for success in Afghanistan that is lasting, and the lasting accomplishment of our mission here," Carter said in his first news conference since taking the job.
"How to do that, what the best way to do that is, is precisely what I’m here to assess."
President Barack Obama's plans call for cutting US troops from about 10,000 now to 5,500 by the end of this year and drawing down to a US embassy presence in Kabul at the end of 2016, Reuters reported.
The drawdown strategy has also drawn sharp criticism from Republicans in Congress, who say that the hard-fought gains made against the Taliban could be lost in much the same way that violence returned to Iraq after the US withdrawal.
Obama is weighing a request from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to slow the withdrawal plans, and the top US commander in Afghanistan has also publicly signaled that he is seeking greater flexibility in the months ahead.
Carter, a former Pentagon No. 2, said Obama wanted him to make his own assessment and did not rule out recommending "adjustments" if necessary.
Carter said he looked forward to an update from Ghani and added the two would discuss Afghan government-led peace efforts with Taliban militants.
