Mattis says Afghan forces fully engaged for first time

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on Tuesday the Afghanistan security forces are fully engaged in combat operations for the first time during the 16-year-old war and are suffering fewer casualties as they continue to improve their competence on the battlefield.

During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis sought to assure lawmakers President Donald Trump's new strategy for Afghanistan represents the best approach for winning America's longest war.

Mattis said Afghan forces are becoming bolder in combat because they know U.S. and NATO forces are using airpower to strike the Taliban and other militants on "the high ground."

That frees up the Afghans to "take the fight to the enemy," Mattis said.

But Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it currently is a stalemate in Afghanistan.

"We're not at a point where we can bring a successful political solution to the war," Dunford said.

Mattis also said during the hearing the United States should remain in the nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration that constrains Iran's ability to build a nuclear arsenal

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, asked whether he thinks it's in the national security interest of the United States to stay a part of the international accord.

Mattis said, "Yes, senator, I do."

Trump has called the deal the worst agreement ever negotiated by the United States. He repeatedly has said he's inclined not to certify Iranian compliance after having twice found the country compliant at earlier deadlines.

Denying certification could lead the U.S. to reintroduce sanctions, which in turn could lead Iran to walk away from the deal or restart previously curtailed nuclear activities.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, lectured Mattis and Dunford at the opening of the hearing for failing to provide lawmakers with detailed information about Trump's Afghanistan strategy.

McCain declared it was "bizarre" Mattis and Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not submit written testimony before the hearing started.

That's common practice for administration witnesses testifying before congressional committees.

"We want to be your partners," McCain said. "But this committee will not be a rubber stamp for any policy or president. We must be well-informed. We must be convinced of the merits of the administration's actions. And unfortunately, we still have far more questions than answers about this new strategy."

Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan in August and said American troops would "fight to win" by attacking enemies, "crushing" al-Qaida, and preventing terrorist attacks against Americans.

But Trump's description of a win in Afghanistan notably did not include defeating the Taliban. He indicated that after an effective military effort it eventually may be possible to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan that includes elements of the Taliban.

Although Trump insisted he would not talk about numbers of troops, he hinted he would embrace the Pentagon's proposal to boost troop numbers by nearly 4,000, augmenting the roughly 8,400 Americans currently stationed there. Mattis told the committee that more than 3,000 additional American forces will be arriving in the coming months to expand the training of the Afghan forces. The combined U.S. and NATO troop contingent currently in the country is about 13,500.

Trump also singled out Pakistan for harboring Taliban leaders and other militants that are battling American troops in Afghanistan. Trump's tough words about Pakistan, a troubled U.S. security partner, infuriated Islamabad, which has denied the country provides safe havens for the Taliban.

But U.S. officials and analysts have long said Pakistan tolerates the presence of the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, which are leading the insurgency against Afghan and U.S. forces.

Dunford told the committee that it's clear to him that Pakistan's intelligence service has connections to the terrorist groups.

The administration said last month that it was holding up the release of $255 million in military assistance for Pakistan until it cracked down on extremist groups that threaten Afghanistan.