John McCain blames Karzai-Taliban talks on Obama withdrawal plans --- After a report that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is engaged in secret talks with the Taliban, Republican senators blamed the development on the Obama administration -- for broadcasting a desire to leave troops there only until 2017, when the president leaves office. -- The reason [Karzai] did that is because we're telling that we're leaving,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told the Washington Examiner Tuesday afternoon. “What would you expect him to do if everybody is out by 2017… he may be paranoid but there is a basis for his paranoia.” -- Key administration officials Tuesday briefed a bipartisan group of senators, including McCain, on the situation in Afghanistan after the New York Times reported that Karzai in recent months has had “clandestine” but so far unsuccessful talks with the Taliban to try to reach a peace agreement. -- President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden also met Tuesday with Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, as well as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, and Adm. William McRaven, commander of the Joint Special Operations Command. - More, at: http://washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-blames-karzai-taliban-talks-on-obama-withdrawal-plans/article/2543457