Mattis Says US Still Debating ‘Big Ideas’ on Afghan Plan

US Defence Secretary James Mattis told reporters Friday that the administration is “close” to finalising a plan going forward in Afghanistan. Mattis had said on several previous occasions that a decision would come by mid-July. When asked by reporters if the delay is because of political issues, he replied, “I hope it’s a political decision. You fight wars for a reason.” Mattis added, “Once you get the policy right then you have to get the strategy right.” According to Washington Post, Mattis also said it is vitally important to “get the big ideas right,” meaning to establish a consensus within the government on what problem Afghanistan poses and what policy goal is being pursued by committing US troops there. The US already has roughly 8,400 troops in Afghanistan on a joint mission of advising and training Afghan forces and conducting anti-terror operations against groups such as al Qaeda and ISIS.