US Pentagon chief and House Speaker visit Afghanistan

US Pentagon chief and House Speaker visit Afghanistan. However, US and EU officials same day visit also implies some important developments are taking place with regard to Kabul.

US Pentagon chief

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper reached Afghanistan on Sunday in a bid to bring talks with the Taliban back on track.

Notably, it comes amid questions about the United States’ commitments to allies after a sudden withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria.

While talking to reporters travelling with him, Esper shared purpose of his visit.

It aims to still get a peace agreement at some point, a political agreement. That’s the best way forward, he said.

He hoped they can move forward and come up with a political agreement that meets our ends and meets the goals we want to achieve.

US Pentagon chief

However, Esper cited that talks remain in the State Departments domain.

Furthermore, he said that the US could go down to about 8,600 troops, from the current 14,000, without affecting counter-terrorism operations, if needed.

Pelosi-led US congressmen visits Kabul

Menwhile, US House speaker Pelosi had made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

She and other senior members of Congress made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday, her office said.

Pelosi, who travelled to Afghanistan after a stop in Jordan on Saturday, met President Ashraf Ghani and visiting US Defence Secretary.

She also met top US military commanders and some of their troops, according to a statement released after the conclusion of the visit by the bipartisan delegation.

Backrgounder

The lawmakers’ trip to the Middle East and South Asia occurred amid questions about the US  commitment to its allies.

Because, President Donald Trump’s sudden withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria over his long-time desire to unwind from foreign military engagements.

Interestingly, Pelosi’s relations with Trump rmain at a low point as she leads an impeachment inquiry against him.

Besides, Trump last month broke off negotiations with Afghan Taliban militants aimed at ending the United States’ longest war. According to critics that move highlighted a confused US approach to Afghanistan.

The congressional visit coincided with one by Esper.

Pelosi said US diplomats her delegation on reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. They also met Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and civil society leaders, including Afghan women.

She said in a statement that they also “heard more about the still-pending status of results from the Afghanistan presidential election in September,. She said they all hope it would be available soon.

Pelosi said their delegation emphasised the central importance of combating the corruption. Because, it endangers security and undermines the Afghan people’s ability achieve a stable and prosperous future.

“We underscored that the women of Afghanistan must be at the table for reconciliation talks.”

The United States says it has increased the pace of operations against militants in Afghanistan since Trump walked away from talk.

EU delegation also visits

Pierre Mayaudon

Meanwhile, Pierre Mayaudon, head of the EU delegation in Afghanistan, also spoke.  He said a delay of a few days to finalise results legitimate to ensure votes were fairly counted.

“But not many more days that again will go into weeks and will possibly raise the perception that something is happening,” he told reporters.

Violence in Afghanistan meanwhile continues unabated. On Friday, at least 70 people were killed when a mosque in Nangarhar province was bombed.