Campbell: Afghan President Seeks Partnership in Counterterror Fight - defense.gov

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 19, 2015 – The commander of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to be partner with the United States in a regional counterterrorism aspect, here today.

Army Gen. John F. Campbell said Ghani has suggested Afghanistan host a regional counterterrorism effort. Afghan counterterrorism forces are among the best in the region, the general said, but they still need training and equipment.

“He wants to continue to build that capability and knows that he needs our help to do that,” Campbell said in an interview with reporters traveling with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.

Ghani also is reaching out to other regional players including China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, India, “the ‘Stans” and the United States, Campbell said. His message is that terrorism is a regional threat and it needs to be fought on a regional basis. “He is saying to them, ‘Afghanistan is fighting your fight,’” the general said.

Afghanistan is about halfway through the 2015 fighting season, and Campbell said he is weighing his best military advice to U.S. leaders at the conclusion of this campaign. - Read More at Campbell:

• Campbell: Afghan President Seeks to Partner in Counterterror Fight

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