Pence makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise trip to Afghanistan late Thursday to visit U.S. troops and meet with the country’s leaders. Pence’s trip comes months after President Donald Trump detailed a new strategy to end the 16-year war in Afghanistan. The vice president delivered a pre-Christmas address to hundreds of U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base, where his military plane landed. Pence acknowledged the sacrifice of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan since 2001 and told the troops, “I believe victory is closer than ever before.” Trump in August announced an increased military campaign against Taliban insurgents and started to send more troops to aid the fight. Pence said “the results are really beginning to come more evident around the country.” During a meeting at the presidential palace, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told Pence more senior Taliban leaders died this year than all prior years combined. Pence also criticized Pakistan for providing a “safe haven” for Taliban insurgents and other terrorists. He said Trump “put Pakistan on notice,” and the country stands to lose should it continue to aid terrorists.