Shanahan said he has no orders to reduce the US troop presence, although officials say that is at the top of the Taliban's list of demands in exploratory peace negotiations.
US, Afghan defence ministers meet I am encouraged that President Donald Trump's administration is looking at all possibilities for ending a 17-year war, the longest in American history, he added.
He stressed that peace terms are for the Afghans to decide.
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Thus far, the Taliban have refused to negotiate with the government of President Ashraf Ghani, calling it illegitimate.
Washington is trying to break that impasse.
