(VOVWORLD) - The Trump administration is slashing 1 billion USD in assistance to Afghanistan and threatening further reductions in all forms of cooperation after the country's rival leaders failed to agree on forming a new government.
The decision came on Monday after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced, urgent visit to Kabul to meet with Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the rival Afghan politicians who have each declared themselves president following disputed elections last year.
Mr. Pompeo said the US was disappointed with both men and their conduct, which he said had harmed US-Afghan relations and dishonors those Afghan, Americans, and coalition partners who have sacrificed their lives and treasure in the struggle to build a new future for this country.