Top U.S. general in Afghanistan sees Russia sending weapons to Taliban

By Idrees Ali KABUL (Reuters) - The head of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan said on Monday he was "not refuting" reports that Russia was providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban. General John Nicholson was speaking in Kabul during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. For some time, American officials have complained of what Nicholson once called "malign influence" by Russia in Afghanistan, but Monday's comments are among the strongest suggestions yet that Moscow is providing arms to the Taliban.