National Security

US general denies he called for direct talks with Taliban

By Travis J. Tritten

Published July 16, 2018 7:39pm ET

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US general denies he called for direct talks with Taliban — The head of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson speaks during a change of command ceremony at Task Force Southwest in the Shorab military camp of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. | (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan on Monday denied reports that American forces are ready to negotiate directly with the Taliban to end the war.

Gen. John “Mick” Nicholson said a comment he made during a visit with Afghan officials had been mischaracterized and that he instead backs a peace process led by the U.S.-aligned government in Kabul. The news service Reuters had quoted him directly in a story Monday as supporting direct talks with the Taliban.

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Afghanistan Mike Pompeo Pentagon Taliban War in Afghanistan