US may keep a combat force of around 10,000 in Afghanistan, including a small counter-terrorism force after 2014 as a contingency against re-emergence of al-Qaeda.
A post-2014 troop level of that size has been recommended by Gen John Allen, the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, American media reports said quoting top US officials. Under the emerging plan, NATO forces in parallel effort would advice Afghan forces at major regional military and police headquarters, but most likely with a minimal battlefield role. NewYork Times said the planning for a post-2014 mission has emerged as an early test for President Obama in his new term as he tries to flesh out the strategy for transferring the responsibility for security to the Afghans. But it is not the only challenge: After the White House decides what sort of military presence to propose to the Afghan government for after 2014, it must turn to the question of how quickly to reduce its troop force before then.
As one of his last acts as senior American commander in Afghanistan, Gen John R Allen is expected to submit a formal recommendation for how quickly to begin withdrawing the United States' 66,000 troops.
A post-2014 troop level of that size has been recommended by Gen John Allen, the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, American media reports said quoting top US officials. Under the emerging plan, NATO forces in parallel effort would advice Afghan forces at major regional military and police headquarters, but most likely with a minimal battlefield role. NewYork Times said the planning for a post-2014 mission has emerged as an early test for President Obama in his new term as he tries to flesh out the strategy for transferring the responsibility for security to the Afghans. But it is not the only challenge: After the White House decides what sort of military presence to propose to the Afghan government for after 2014, it must turn to the question of how quickly to reduce its troop force before then.
As one of his last acts as senior American commander in Afghanistan, Gen John R Allen is expected to submit a formal recommendation for how quickly to begin withdrawing the United States' 66,000 troops.