Mattis: National Security To Settle On Afghanistan Policy In ‘Very Near Future’

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, talks with Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, before a ceremony where President Donald Trump bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to retire... Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, talks with Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, before a ceremony where President Donald Trump bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to retired Army medic James McCloughan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Monday, July 31, 2017, at Washington. McCloughan is credited with saving the lives of members of his platoon nearly 50 years ago in the Battle of Nui Yon Hill in Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says President Donald Trump is gathering his national security team to attempt again to settle on a new Afghanistan policy.

In remarks at the State Department, Mattis told reporters the talks Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland will “move this toward a decision.” He did not predict a decision but repeated a statement he made on Monday at the Pentagon that a decision is likely in “the very near future.”

The administration has been wrestling with how to proceed in Afghanistan, where the U.S. has been bogged down in war for nearly 16 years. The conflict has been stalemated for more than a year; Mattis is believed to favor sending a few thousand more U.S. troops, but others in the administration oppose that.

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