Ash Carter Meets with Troops, Says Afghanistan Can Be US Partner for ‘Many Years’

Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter was still in Afghanistan on Sunday, wrapping up his trip by meeting with and taking questions from soldiers at Kandahar Air Base.

 

SecDef Carter holds a troop talk at Kandahar. Tells troop, “You are the heart of the effort here.” pic.twitter.com/0MxK3wzS2T

— U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) February 22, 2015

Earlier on his trip, Carter said that the Obama administration would consider a delay to the drawdown of troops in the country. On Sunday, Carter said that “Afghan security forces have become a powerful force in their own right and good partners in their own way.”

“Afghanistan can be a partner of the United States for many years to come,” he added.

Carter was also asked for his thoughts on allowing transgendered soldiers to serve in the military. He said that the important criteria to take into account is simple.

“Are they going to be excellent service members? I don’t think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them.”

 

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