Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty says progress is being made in Afghanistan. She recently returned from a visit there and to Kuwait as part of a bipartisan delegation.
The week-long trip began January 19. Esty was invited by Congressman John Kline of Minnesota, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. She said there are still regions of instability in Afghanistan but absent from news coverage are points of progress.
"The Afghan military -- both their army and national police -- are gaining capacity, and showing increased ability and willingness to fight the Taliban," Esty said. But she said building confidence among local forces is a slow process in a war torn country.
Esty also said U.S. forces and the country's allies deserve credit for their work. Nine thousand eight hundred Americans are serving in Afghanistan.
Esty said it's also worth noting that after a hotly contested election, there is a coalition government in place.
Meanwhile, Esty said, it's time Congress votes on an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) against ISIS. She added her time in Congress has made her a realist and notes it probably won't happen in a Presidential election year.
