“The president has made a decision. I am very comfortable that the strategic process was sufficiently rigorous.” So said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as President Trump prepared to deliver a live address to update the country on US plans for Afghanistan.

+ The address will begin Trump’s post-Bannon era. From the NYT, here’s an interesting look inside Bannon’s tenure and his firing: Bannon Was Set for a Graceful Exit. Then Came Charlottesville.

+ Gabe Sherman: Steve Bannon readies his revenge.