Hagel makes first Afghan trip as defense chief
- 11 years ago
Chuck Hagel landed in Afghanistan Friday for his first trip abroad as U.S, Secretary of Defense.
The newly-appointed defense chief arrived in Kabul only days after his swearing in -- on an unannounced visit to make his OWN assessment of America's longest war as it enters its final stretch.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saying:
"I need to better understand what's going on there. I need to talk to, listen to, get a good sense from our commanders on the ground."
Now he'll meet with US and allied commanders, as well as hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Among his top priorities: helping to decide how large a US military footprint to keep in Afghanistan once NATO wraps up its combat mission at the end of next year.
The newly-appointed defense chief arrived in Kabul only days after his swearing in -- on an unannounced visit to make his OWN assessment of America's longest war as it enters its final stretch.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saying:
"I need to better understand what's going on there. I need to talk to, listen to, get a good sense from our commanders on the ground."
Now he'll meet with US and allied commanders, as well as hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Among his top priorities: helping to decide how large a US military footprint to keep in Afghanistan once NATO wraps up its combat mission at the end of next year.