washington unite state win war taliban insurgents afghanistan defense secretary jim mattis tell congress tuesday promise brief lawmakers new war strategy mid-july widely expect call thousands u.s. troop remark blunt reminder gloom underscore u.s. military assessments war u.s.-backed afghan government islamist militant group classify u.s. commanders stalemate despite almost 16 years fight win afghanistan right correct soon possible mattis say testimony senate arm service committee mattis acknowledge believe taliban surge moment something say intend address u.s. officials question benefit send troop afghanistan politically palatable number would enough turn tide much less create stability security date 2,300 americans kill 17,000 wound since war begin 2001. afghan government assess u.s. military control influence 59.7 percent afghanistan 407 district feb. 20 nearly 11 percentage-point decrease time 2016 accord data release u.s. special inspector general afghanistan reconstruction truck bomb explosion kabul last month kill 150 people make deadly attack afghan capital since taliban oust 2001 nato-led coalition rule country five years saturday three u.s. soldier kill afghan soldier open fire eastern afghanistan reuters report late april administration u.s. president donald trump carry review afghanistan conversations revolve around send 3,000 5,000 u.s. coalition troop deliberations include give authority force grind take aggressive action taliban fighters senator john mccain chairman senate committee press mattis deteriorate situation say unite state urgent need change strategy increase resources turn situation around recognize need urgency mattis say u.s. 'not win afghanistan defense secretary tell congress