Tillerson issues warnings to Taliban, Pakistan

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tours South Asia this week to emphasize the United States’ commitment to combating extremism in the region. In a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday, Tillerson said the United States still hopes to negotiate with Taliban moderates—if it can find them. “There’s a place for them in the government if they’re ready to come, renouncing terrorism, renouncing violence and being committed to a stable, prosperous Afghanistan,” he said. The New York Times has reported the CIA will now use paramilitary personnel and U.S Army Special Forces to hunt down and kill Taliban fighters. The move to unleash the CIA follows a recent order by President Donald Trump allowing civilian casualties from drone strikes on high-level Taliban targets. The Pentagon has also deployed an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan since August, bringing the total number of U.S. forces there to 14,000. In Pakistan on Tuesday, Tillerson spoke about the importance of fighting extremists and driving them from hideouts in Pakistani territory.