Blinken makes unannounced trip to Afghanistan to sell troop withdrawal

Driving the news: Blinken told Ghani at the presidential palace in Kabul he “wanted to demonstrate with my visit the ongoing to commitment of the United States to the Islamic Republic and the people of Afghanistan," per the Post. “The partnership is changing, but the partnership itself is enduring," Blinken said.

• Ghani told Blinken: “We respect the decision and are adjusting our priorities."
• The U.S. secretary of state told Abdullah their respective parties "have a new chapter, but it is a new chapter that we’re writing together.” Abdullah said he was grateful for the American people and administration.

Worth noting: The sudden meeting comes after Blinken met with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who announced the alliance's forces would also leave.

Go deeper: CIA director says Afghanistan withdrawal poses "significant risk" of terrorist resurgence