US defence secretary makes surprise visit to war-weary Kabul

E-Paper | July 29, 2026

United States Defence Secretary James Mattis on Friday arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul on a surprise visit to the war-weary country.

The US command in Afghanistan confirmed Friday's visit but offered no details. Mattis was expected to meet with Afghan, US and Nato military commanders as well as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Mattis' arrival comes just days after a suicide bomber killed 21 people and amid a fresh round of insider attacks that claimed the life of one American service member and eight local police earlier this week.

Washington would seem to be ramping up efforts for a negotiated end to Afghanistan's war.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced this week the appointment of Zalmay Khalilzad as Washington's new point man for Afghan reconciliation. Khalilzad, a controversial figure in the region, is a former envoy to Afghanistan.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 07, 2018 12:59pm

The US defence secretary's sudden visit to Afghanistan is probably made to discuss last minutes changes in their strategy after recent Taliban's attacks. In my opinion, both US and NATO are in deep waters and looking for an escape route without a stigma of another defeat!

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Ali R.

Sep 07, 2018 01:00pm

Ghani won't survive the peace.

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M. Saeed

Sep 07, 2018 01:00pm

A traitor Zalmay appointed operative of the US in Afghanistan.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 07, 2018 01:05pm

Yet another " thief of Kabul" and Butcher of the helpless, weak, vulnerable and hapless people of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has landed unannounced on it's soil under darkness. What a cruel joke?

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Ahmed

Sep 07, 2018 01:10pm

Not a single Afghan was involved in the 9/11 incident. Why are they being made to pay such a heavy price for it?

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Ejaz

Sep 07, 2018 01:16pm

James Mattis has not come to Afghanistan, because weather is nicer. Khalilzad is a bad choice for US. His past record in Afghanistan and Iraq was ‘no success’. He is not respected anywhere neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan.

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NWA

Sep 07, 2018 02:33pm

China is their problem.

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GHALIBJEEE

Sep 07, 2018 03:00pm

This surprise visits are no longer a surprise, they want keep their arrival hidden for security issue.

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Sep 07, 2018 03:28pm

They are always well planned and shared with concerned also. Surprise only comes coz they don't open details due threat to their lives

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