The Washington Post reports that “Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter predicted Friday more tough fighting ahead in Afghanistan as the United States seeks to help local forces beat back a surge in Taliban attacks and contain an emerging threat from militants linked to the Islamic State.”  

“Carter touched down at Operating Base Fenty in Afghanistan’s Nangahar province — along the Pakistan border east of Kabul — where an array of armed groups pose a major test to Afghan forces as the bulk of foreign troops withdraw.”