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Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during his meeting with Italy's Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti on July 11, 2017, at the Pentagon. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

The past two ISIS-K emirs were killed in July 2016 and

Nicholson helped launch an Afghan and U.S. counteroffensive aimed at driving ISIS-K out of the country by the end of the year. Nicholson said in a video statement that operations over the last year have killed dozens of the groups senior leaders.

Mattis is currently conducting a review of Afghanistan strategy and troop levels and is expected to release those plans soon, though he said he did not want to put a timetable on it.

Mattis and Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford previously said that the Pentagons review includes the broader South Asia region and that it would be delivered in mid-July.

Senate Armed Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Arizona, last month said the United States has no strategy to end what he called a stalemate in Afghanistan after 16 years of war.

"Six months into the new administration, it still has not delivered a strategy," McCain said in a June 19 statement. We cannot keep going like this. If the administration fails to develop a strategy for success, Congress will need to play a greater role."

McCain said Congress could put a committee-created Afghanistan strategy into the National Defense Authorization Act. The House passed its version of that act, which raises defense spending to $696 billion in fiscal year 2018, 344-81.

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ISIS Leader in Afghanistan Killed in Airstrike, Pentagon Says - NBCNews.com

Afghanistan has suffered through a harrowing summer, even by the nightmarish standards of a country convulsed by conflict for decades.

On May 31, a truck bomb exploded in Kabuls heavily fortified diplomatic enclave, killing more than 150 people. On June 2, Afghans, furious about their governments failure to provide security, took to the streets of Kabul. Security forces cracked down, killing at least five people. One of them was the son of the deputy leader of Afghanistans Senate. His funeral the next day, attended by top Afghan political leaders, was rocked by three explosions that killed at least twenty people.

This merciless cycle of violence continued unabated. Two bomb blasts at Shia Muslim mosques, one in Herat on June 6 and the other in Kabul on June 15, killed seven and four people, respectively. On June 18, an assault on a police station in eastern Afghanistan killed five officers. On June 20, eight Afghan guards employed at Bagram, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, were gunned down in an ambush as they headed to the base to work a night shift. And on June 22, a car bomb outside a bank in Helmand Province claimed at least thirty lives.

Thats at least 229 dead in just twenty-three days.

Against this bloody backdrop, the Trump administration plans to send several thousand more soldiers to Afghanistaneven as it continues to flesh out a broader strategy.

The decision to put more boots on the ground has made headlines, but the still-evolving strategy is far more consequential. Indeed, if the United States is to help arrest Afghanistans spiraling destabilization, itll need much more than troops to do so. And yet, whats known about the emerging strategy so far inspires little confidence that the Trump administration will have any more success than its predecessor.

Make no mistake: A mini-surge will do little to rein in Afghanistans recent orgy of violence, much less tame the Taliban insurgency. More than one hundred thousand American troops couldnt do the trick during the height of the surge in 2010 and 2011, so you can bet your bottom dollar that dispatching a few thousand troops to reinforce the current 8,500 wont eithereven with the improvements in Afghan warfighting capacities in recent years.

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Trump's Afghanistan Strategy Is Simply Old Wine in a New Bottle - The National Interest Online

What does the return of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar mean for Afghanistan?

Signing of Peace Accord with HIA

Afghanistan signed a landmark peace deal with the Islamic Party known as Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan, allowing for the groups leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, to return to his country. Hekmatyar returned to the capital of Afghanistan in early May of this year after two decades in hiding.[1] He called for peace and reconciliation as he was welcomed by the Afghan government and many other parties in the country.

The United Nations lifted sanctions against Hekmatyar, subsequent to a decision made by the UN Security Council to remove Hekmatyar from the UN terrorist blacklist. This decision was made following a peace deal which was signed between the Afghan government and Hekmatyars party. A formal request by the Afghan government was made to remove Hekmatyars name from the sanctions list.[2] The UN Security Council stated in a Press Release that it had lifted a freeze which was placed on Hekmatyars assets, a travel ban and an arms embargo, all of which no longer apply to him.[3]

The 25-point pact provides Hekmatyar and his members with amnesty and grants them full political rights. It also recognises the Hezb-i-Islami organisation as a political party, and allows for the release of some of its prisoners. As part of the deal, he and his party agreed to accept the constitution, abandon fighting and to encourage others to do the same.[4]

Hekmatyar also signed the pact last year via a video link which was played at a ceremony in the presidential palace. Hekmatyar made a speech from an undisclosed location and made some remarks on the accord and the future of Afghanistan. The ceremony was broadcasted live on television and attended by many politicians from different political parties.[5]

Hekmatyar opened his speech by reciting a verse from the Qurn to validate and endorse the peace agreement, [6]

And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing. [8:61]

He further stated,

I call on all sides to support this peace deal and I call on the opposition parties of the government to join the peace process and pursue their goals through peaceful means,

We hope that the day comes when foreign interference has ended, foreign troops have departed fully from Afghanistan, and peace has been achieved.[6]

As soon as sanctions against Hekmatyar were lifted, he returned to his country after more than 20 years in exile. He appeared in public for the first time in the eastern province of Afghanistan, Laghman and later travelled to Jalalabad. He then travelled to the capital with tight security, in a large armed convoy that was guarded by an army helicopter.

Who is Hekmatyar/HIA?

Hekmatyar is well-known as one of the most prominent and influential leaders against the Soviet forces in the 80s. He is an Afghan war veteran and politician who also shortly served as the Prime Minister of the country in the 90s. His rebel group is considered as one of the most successful in defeating the soviet army and the second largest rebel group in the country.[7]

He is the founder and current leader of the political party Hezb-i-Islami, whom are ideologically influenced by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and Syed Abul Ala Maududis Jamaat-e-Islami.[8] His party, Hezb-i-Islami, which literally translates to Islamic Party, is an Islamic organisation that was set up by him and his associates in the year 1975. It was a group which stood firmly against the Communist Government of Afghanistan and then a few years later against the Governments close ally, the Soviet Union.

Hekmatyar has also authored as many as 118 books ranging from linguistics to Pashto grammar and comparative religion. He has written several books on Islm and has translated the Holy Qurn and Hadith books.[9] At a book launch, Qutbuddin Helal said that Hekmatyar wrote his books whilst continuously travelling and moving from one area to another.[10]

Returning Comments

Hekmatyar is seeking peace and considering a political solution to the turmoil in the country. Ever since his return he has spoken about establishing and working on a think-tank to help bring about a solution to the chaos in the country. Afghanistan is a mountainous and landlocked country located within South Asia and Central Asia. Although situated in Asia, in the present world it can also be considered in the Middle East according to theories of regionalisation. This is because Afghanistan is associated with the Middle East region as a result of religious and political similarities although being different in culture and language. Currently, the countrys infrastructure and economy is in ruins due to on-going severe instability and war, which has consequently resulted in the deaths of uncountable people with countless being forced to become refugees.

In his first public speeches Hekmatyar called on other groups such as the Taliban to lay down their weapons and to also come to the negotiation table. He said,

Come for Gods sake, come and give up fighting which the victims of this war are Afghans,

I invite you to join the peace caravan and stop the pointless, meaningless and unholy warSet your goals, and I will be with you on your good goals.[11]

He made further remarks such as,

I have come for brotherhood and unity, and I extend my hand to everyone. You can count on us. We are ready.

I want a free, proud, independent and Islamic Afghanistan,[12]

Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, who signed the peace agreement and welcomed Hekmatyar at the ceremony in the presidential palace thanked him for,heeding the peace call. [13]

What does this mean for the future of Afghanistan?

Hekmatyar made another appearance at Kabuls main football stadium, Ghazi stadium. Thousands of supporters were present on this occasion which clearly demonstrated his continued support and influence throughout the country. He addressed the thousands of supporters who queued for hours and waited eagerly for Hekmatyar to address them on the peace agreement.

Referring to the current structure of the government which he has repeatedly criticised, he stated

This division of power is not Gods will, nor is it based on the constitution,

This is John Kerrys division. Do not look upon this division as sacred. [14]

Hekmatyar has also stated that,

Turkeys constitutional changes were inspired by the constitution I wrote. We also want that to replace the current Afghan constitution.

The peace deal now opens a new chapter for Hekmatyar as well as the future of Afghanistan. Hekmatyar aims to unite the different factions and movements in the country and to encourage them to come to the negotiating table.

Hekmatyar said at a Press Conference this month that all the political parties in the country should stand together to help find a solution to the ongoing problems. He also added that it was time for neighbouring countries, namely Iran and Pakistan, to also play their part in ensuring peace in Afghanistan.

In reference to some recent remarks made by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hekmatyar stated that,

No one has got the right to instruct us from outside or interfere in our affairs.[15]

With the rapidly changing political climate in Afghanistan, for many Afghans the return of Hekmatyar is a sign of hope. Whether his return will bring about change only time will tell.

Source: http://www.islam21c.com

Notes:

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Will there be peace for Afghanistan? - Islam21c

While the meetings could be delayed or rescheduled, the officials told CNN that the ongoing review appears to be drawing to a close.

But there are major challenges ahead, and Defense Secretary James Mattis has been framing the internal discussions inside the administration as a "South Asia strategy." It encompasses a way ahead in Afghanistan, including the possibility of sending more troops, but also a look at new ideas for dealing with Pakistan, which the US believes is supporting or turning a blind eye to a number of terror groups operating inside the country.

One idea being discussed is what one senior administration official directly familiar with the ongoing discussions official called a "stick" approach to Pakistan rather than a "carrot." It could include cutting US assistance to Pakistan and a bolstering of security relationships with India, Pakistan's longtime adversary.

Officials also say a discussion has opened up about whether there are new military as well as non-military options for defeating ISIS globally, including in enclaves in Afghanistan.

It is not clear if the Trump Administration still plans to unveil an entirely new ISIS strategy as promised during the campaign or if it will continue to address individual ISIS issues as they arise in military, diplomatic, law enforcement and financial sectors.

But if decisions are finalized at the series of meetings next week, officials say it is expected that the White House will take the lead making any announcements.

A key element of the discussions is how to proceed in Afghanistan and whether to add additional US troops to the more than 8,000 already there.

Discussion has circulated inside the Pentagon for months about the need to add more trainers and advisers. But two officials says it's possible that the US might decide not to add more troops at this time because there are voices within the administration that feel extra troops won't improve the ability of Afghan forces to challenge the Taliban and fight ISIS.

Afghan forces still have to demonstrate they are powerful enough to make the Taliban feel they are at risk and have no choice but to engage in negotiations with the Afghan government.

Mattis has essentially been given authority to determine the number of troops needed. But he would need the President's signoff if the strategy were to radically change and a large number of troops were added, or if he decided not to add any, officials say.

Mattis is under time pressure to deliver an Afghan strategy to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. At a hearing last month, Mattis told McCain "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. And we will correct this as soon as possible."

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon on Friday, Mattis said a decision on the new strategy would come around "mid-July" or "somewhere around there. We are driven by the maturity of the discussion and where we're at, we are not going to meet some time-line if we are not ready but we are pretty close."

While most administration officials have refused to publicly confirm details, Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to the President, in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper discussed the idea of using Erik Prince, the controversial former head of the now disbanded Blackwater company to supply contractors for a variety of unspecified missions in Afghanistan.

"If you look at Eric Prince's track record, it's not about billing the government, it's about the opposite, it's about saving the US taxpayer money," Gorka said. While the US and Afghanistan agree there is a need for additional trainers and advisers to improve the capability of Afghan security forces, it's not clear Mattis supports the idea of using contractors. When asked about the idea this week the secretary replied: "I'm still putting together my ideas on that."

Gorka strongly defended Prince, whose former company Blackwater was criticized for how it dealt with civilians in Iraq. Several former employees were convicted in a 2007 incident in Baghdad in which civilians were shot and killed.

"This is a former operator, this is a man who hires former operators," Gorka said of Prince. "This is a cost-cutting venture, we open the door here at the White House to outside ideas."

But defense officials have long noted that in some operations contractors are not less expensive than active duty military members, who are paid considerably less.

Gorka also called US Afghanistan policy over the last 16 years "disastrous," saying the policies were made by people "who've never worn a uniform."

While Afghan policy in the Bush and Trump administration did include involvement from civilian officials, both presidents also strongly relied on the advice of senior military officers including Afghanistan commanders Gen. David Petraeus and Gen. Stanley McChrystal, as well as chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff including Adm. Michael Mullen and Gen. Martin Dempsey.

Read more from the original source:
Mattis on new Afghanistan strategy: 'We are pretty close' - CNN

WASHINGTON At the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Iran nuclear agreement, the Trump administration has hinted it will again certify that Iran is in compliance.

A senior State Department official noted the Trump administration is examining the United States entire policy toward Iran and that the administration, during its review, will adhere to the JCPOA [Iran nuclear agreement] and will ensure that Iran is held strictly accountable to its requirements.

Congress requires the administration certify every 90 days whether Iran is in compliance. Monday is the second of these 90-day deadlines during the Trump administration.

IRAN ILLEGALLY SEEKING WEAPONS TECH FROM GERMAN FIRMS, ACCORDING TO REPORT

The U.S., for the first time during the Trump presidency, certified in April that Iran was in compliance. Though in his letter informing House Speaker Paul Ryan of his decision, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also announced his department will evaluate whether suspension of sanctions related to Iran pursuant to the JCPOA is vital to the national security interests of the United States."

For Mondays deadline, the State Department deferred to that policy review.

We have said, and the administration has said, that at least until that review has been completed that we will adhere to the JCPOA, said Heather Nauert, the State Department spokesperson. That has not changed. Well ensure that Iran is held strictly accountable to its requirements.

The administration has offered no timeline on announcing its Iran policy.Though four Republican senators said there is no reason to wait to declare Iran is failing to adhere to the agreement.

FRANCE AND US MUST UNITE IN STANDING UP TO IRAN

We believe that a change in that policy is long overdue, wrote Senators Macro Rubio (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), David Perdue (R-GA), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in a letter to Secretary Tillerson. As we near the end of another 90-day review period, U.S. interests would be best served by a sober accounting of Irans JCPOA violations as well as the regimes aggressive and destabilizing behavior.

President Trump, during the presidential campaign, called the Iran nuclear agreement the worst deal ever and promised to rip it up.

For opponents like the president, there are challenges in backing out of the deal as Iran has already received many of the benefits. In exchange for Iran agreeing to controls over, and temporarily surrendering portions of, its nuclear program, the United States and its western allies have already reversed Iran sanctions and unfrozen tens of billions of dollars in Iranian assets.Iran now has those unfrozen assets and reintroducing international sanctions could be difficult.

The Trump administration has announced additional sanctions against Iranians for, as administration officials cite, their support to Irans ballistic missile program and providing material support to various terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. Those sanctions are unrelated to the Iran deal.

Since the Obama administration agreed to the Iran deal, the U.S. has viewed Iran sanctions in two categories: those connected to, and lifted under, the nuclear agreement and those levied for Irans other provocative behavior. Secretary Tillerson said the Trump administration, in its examination, is considering all of Irans provocative behavior to guide its future policy toward it.

Rich Edson is a Washington correspondent for Fox News Channel. Prior to that, he served as Fox Business Network's Washington correspondent.

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President Trump expected to certify Iran's compliance on ...