Dunford Visits Afghanistan to Review US Military Campaign - Associated Press

The top U.S. military officer has arrived in Afghanistan to take a closer look at the ongoing campaign to beef up training and advisory teams as the next fighting season looms.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AP) — The top U.S. military officer visited Afghanistan on Monday to evaluate the military campaign and ensure new American advisory teams and an upgraded Afghan Air Force are on target as the next fighting season with the Taliban looms.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he wants to understand the goals for the coming months so the U.S.-led coalition can develop ways to measure progress in the fight.

Dunford told reporters traveling with him that he seeks "a discussion about measures of effectiveness." A key question, Dunford said, is how the U.S. will know that it's where it needs to be in implementing what is, in actuality, the Afghans' plan.

The idea of benchmarks for progress in the Afghan war has been simmering for several months as the Pentagon looks to end America's longest war. Measuring success will be a key part of White House discussions this summer when President Donald Trump looks for a one-year assessment of his new regional strategy. Last August, a reluctant Trump had to be persuaded to inject new U.S. troops to the conflict, which is now in its 17th year.

"The intent really is to get my own assessment of what we can expect over the next couple months," said Dunford, who commanded U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan from February 2013 to August 2014. He said a major focus will be ensuring Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has the resources he needs. - Read More

Dunford Visits Afghanistan to Review US Military Campaign | Political ...