Senior US security official visits Afghanistan
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US Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough traveled to Afghanistan to meet with US and Afghanistan officials on the just completed Afghanistan and Pakistan Annual Review, the White House announced Monday.
The visit took place last Monday to Friday. McDonough met with Afghan National Security Adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta, providing him a readout of the Annual Review, in which US President Barack Obama admitted the war "continues to be a very difficult endeavor, " and achievements made there are "fragile and reversible."
McDonough also met with US embassy officials including Ambassador Karl Eikenberry. He was briefed on development and governance plans and efforts to increase transparency and accountability in US contracting and among Afghan institutions.
McDonough later met with US military officers and was updated on plans for Afghan Security Force training and developments at NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan.
After wrapping up the visit in Kabul, McDonough traveled to Kandahar, and was briefed by Maj. Gen. James Terry, commanding general, 10th Mountain Division and Brig. Gen. Michael Linnington, ISAF deputy chief of staff for plans and projects, on ongoing clearing efforts in traditional Taliban strongholds in Kandahar City and the Argandahb River Valley north of Kandahar City.
Obama ordered the deployment of 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan about a year ago. In releasing the administration's review of his war strategy last month, Obama said he was committed to the beginning of US troops drawdown in July, 2011, but noted for the gains to be sustained over time, "there is an urgent need for political and economic progress in Afghanistan."
A recent survey found that more than six in ten Americans oppose the US war in Afghanistan, now in its tenth year, and more people now believe things are going badly over there.
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