Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan met with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani today at the Presidential Palace to reaffirm our commitment to Afghanistan through implementation of President Trump’s South Asia strategy. 

The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues, including the importance of the U.S.-Afghanistan security relationship and of achieving a political settlement to the war that ensures Afghanistan is never again used as a safe haven from which terrorists can plan and launch terrorist attacks against the United States, our interests, and our allies.

Secretary Shanahan praised the sacrifices made by Afghan and Coalition troops, and reaffirmed our continued support to Afghan forces as they lead the fight to defend their country.