Defense Secretary James Mattis landed in Afghanistan in an unannounced visit on April 24.
At a press conference there Mattis addressed Russia’s increased arms shipments to the embattled country—arms that are finding their way into the hands of Taliban fighters.
“The Russians seem to be choosing to be strategic competitors in a number of areas,” was how Mattis characterized the situation.
“We’re going to have to confront Russia where what they’re doing is contrary to international law or denying the sovereignty of other countries,” he continued. “For example, any weapons being funneled here from a foreign country would be a violation of international law … and that would have to be dealt with as a violation of international law.”
Mattis is concluding a weeklong six-nation tour, reassuring our allies of America’s continuing commitment to our security agreements.
Gen. John Nicholson, top U.S. officer in Afghanistan, recently asked for a few thousand more troops to support the effort.
He also spoke to the press.
“I will say we were sending a very clear message to ISIS, not only to ISIS here in Afghanistan, but also to ISIS main, if they come here to Afghanistan, they will be destroyed, in keeping with the secretary’s intent, they will be annihilated,” he said.
