Kabul (AFP) - The Pentagon's new chief, Ashton Carter, flew to Kabul on an unannounced visit Saturday to confer with commanders and Afghan leaders about the future of the American military presence in Afghanistan.
"The reason for this destination, Afghanistan, in my very first week in office as the secretary of defense is because this is still where we have 10,000 American troops. They come first in my mind, always," Carter told reporters aboard his plane before landing in the Afghan capital.