Mattis Says U.S. Needs ‘Boots on the Ground’ in Afghanistan
- Afghanistan forces aren’t ready to fight al-Qaeda, ISIS
- Statement follows president’s canceled Camp David meetings
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Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said America needs to keep forces in Afghanistan for now to prevent terrorists including al-Qaeda from regrouping and posing a threat to the U.S.
Mattis’s comments come after President Donald Trump said Saturday that he canceled secret meetings with Taliban leaders and the president of Afghanistan, set for Sunday at Camp David, and discontinued peace negotiations after a U.S. soldier was killed. The proposal was expected to pave the way for the U.S. to start pulling some of its 14,000 troops out of the country.