Sec. of State Kerry Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan

03:56

October 11, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center left, meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace during an unannounced stop in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Kerry flew to Afghanistan Friday for urgent talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai as an end of October deadline looms for completing a security deal that would allow American troops to remain in Afghanistan after the end of the NATO-led military mission next year. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center left, meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace during an unannounced stop in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Secretary of State John Kerry is in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit. He’s meeting with President Karzai tonight and tomorrow before heading on to Paris for the next planned stop of his trip.

Tensions have been on the rise between Kabul and Washington, with President Karzai issuing some harsh criticisms of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. U.S. officials are hoping Kerry’s visit will calm the waters.

NPR’s Sean Carberry joins us from Kabul to discuss the visit and what’s at stake.

Guest

Sean Carberry, Kabul correspondent for NPR. He tweets @frankentele.

This segment aired on October 11, 2013.