US Defense Secretary James Mattis who arrived on an unannounced visit to Kabul on Friday held talks with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the Presidential Palace, the president’s office said in a statement.

The Afghan and US officials discussed peace process, impact of US South Asia strategy, reforms in Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, counter-terrorism and dialogue with Pakistan.

In this visit, Mattis commended the National Unity Government’s efforts in different sectors particularly counter-terrorism, reforms and fighting against corruption, the statement said. He also commended Afghan forces’ “bravery” in defending the country.

Mattis said the US government and people will stay with Afghan people and government until there is lasting peace and stability in the country. He said US will continue its cooperation in different sectors including security, economy and strengthening of bilateral relations with Afghanistan.

Ghani meanwhile said he appreciated US’s cooperation in different sectors to Afghanistan and said the Afghan government and the people want lasting peace and that they thank the US for its cooperation in this respect.

Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with Army Gen. Scott Miller, the new commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan during their Kabul visit.

In this episode host Sadaf Amiri discusses the topic with Hamid Saboory a political analyst and Latif Nazari an international affairs analyst.