"We are in it for the long haul, it's a democracy that has asked for our help and it is important that Europe responds," Fallon said. "Transnational terror groups that operate in Afghanistan are a threat to us in Western Europe and to the continued existence of the Afghan state. "NATO leads some 13,450 multinational troops in Afghanistan, who are training the country's armed forces. "The confusion in Washington has had an impact," a third diplomat said.The concern about delay extends beyond Brussels. In Washington, Republican Senator John McCain recently scolded Mattis during a televised Senate hearing.

Source: Times of India June 29, 2017 07:18 UTC