The new U.S. defense secretary, Ashton Carter, arrived in Afghanistan early Saturday for a previously unannounced visit — his first overseas trip as Pentagon chief.

Carter plans to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as the U.S. mission in Afghanistan changes from combat to training and advising Afghan forces, who have taken responsibility for the country’s security.

About 10,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan.

Before taking office, Carter told the U.S. Senate he could reconsider plans to pull all U.S. forces out of Afghanistan by the end of the year. But he said that would depend on the security situation.

He also said he would work with U.S. coalition partners to make sure Islamic State does not expand from the Middle East into Afghanistan.

 
…