WEB DESK
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said that his government plans to make some decisions soon on whether to recommend an increase in the number of US troops in Afghanistan and whether the totals should be based on military requirements rather than pre-set limits.
Mattis told media that he spoke to US Gen. John Nicholson, the top American commander there. Mattis said he will collect his thoughts and then send recommendations to the White House. He said, President Donald Trump is open to his advice.
Earlier this month, Gen Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he needs a few thousand more troops to train and advise Afghan forces. At the time, Gen Nicholson argued for greater flexibility in setting US troop commitments in Afghanistan, where the war is entering its 16th year.
The Pentagon chief was scheduled to fly into Afghanistan from Abu Dhabi to meet with commanders and leaders yesterday but bad weather prevented the trip.
He said the call with Gen Nicholson and a meeting on Saturday in Munich with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani were part of his effort to get the latest information on the situation both politically and strategically.