kermani sent this report from kabul. general mackenzie's visit to afghanistan comes amidst heightened concern over the country's future. with the taliban closing in on a number of afghan cities after having already captured vast swathes of rural territory, the us has launched a number of air strikes in recent days in support of embattled afghan forces, notably around the southern city of kandahar where heavy fighting has been taking place. and general mackenzie said america was prepared to continue with those air strikes in the coming weeks — though he refused to categorically answer repeated questions about whether or not they would continue after the end of august, when the us military presence in afghanistan formally ends. in the past, he's previously suggested they will not. general mackenzie did however praise the capabilities of the afghan air force and said that a taliban military victory was certainly not guaranteed. i'd like to be very clear — the government of afghanistan faces a stern test in the days ahead.