U.S. confirms option to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan

AVA- Speaking at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that the Trump administration was “very, very close” to finalizing its new strategy in Afghanistan.

“The strategic decisions have not been made,” he said.

According to Mattis, other option on the table for Afghanistan is using private contractors for the U.S. effort in the country.

It has been nearly seven months since Trump took office as U.S. president, but his administration has yet to unveil its strategy on Afghanistan.

In June, Mattis, who has been leading a review of U.S. policy in Afghanistan along with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, said that he would present the strategy for the war in July, but failed amid reported split in the administration.

In a meeting with his national security team, Trump has expressed frustration for not winning war in Afghanistan, which marks U.S.'s longest in history. He also suggested firing General John Nicholson as U.S. commander of international forces in Afghanistan.

Mattis, however, defended the commander.

"He is our commander in the field," Mattis said. "He has the confidence of NATO. He has the confidence of Afghanistan. He has the confidence of the United States, and the President again is looking at all aspects of our effort over there as he must in his responsibilities as the commander-in-chief."