U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan As Troop Withdrawal Deadline Looms

Daily Mail: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced trip to Afghanistan and meets president amid looming deadline to withdraw troops

* U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived Sunday in Kabul, Afghanistan

* Met with senior Afghan government officials, including President Ashraf Ghani

* Joe Biden said it will be 'tough' to meet a May 1 deadline to withdraw troops

* In response, Taliban warned of consequences if U.S. doesn't meet the deadline

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived Sunday in Kabul on his first trip to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, amid swirling questions about how long American troops will remain in the country.

State-owned Radio and Television Afghanistan and popular TOLO Television reported Austin's arrival in Kabul from India.

He met with senior Afghan government officials, including President Ashraf Ghani.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Making Surprise Visit To Afghanistan

Austin Meets With Afghan, U.S., Coalition Leaders; Gathers Info to Aid Biden Decision on U.S. Effort -- US Department of Defense

U.S. Defense Secretary meets Afghan president amid peace process review -- Reuters

Defense secretary travels to Afghanistan as troop withdrawal deadline looms -- CNBC

Defense secretary visits Afghanistan as US considers troop extension -- CNN

US defense secretary Austin visits Afghanistan as exit deadline looms -- The Guardian

Pentagon chief in Afghanistan on unannounced visit as deadline to withdraw U.S. troops looms -- Washington Post

U.S. Defense Secretary Makes Secret Visit to Afghanistan -- New York Times

Defense Secretary Austin makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan -- NBC

Pentagon chief makes surprise stop in Afghanistan as generals warn of premature drawdown -- Politico

U.S. Defense Chief Austin Goes To Afghanistan Amid Questions Over Withdrawal Date -- NPR

US Defense Secretary Meets Ghani in Kabul -- TOLO News