U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler Jennings conducts a combat patrol in Khowst province, Afghanistan, Jan. 25, 2012. Jennings is a cannon crew member assigned to 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson
Panetta: U.S., NATO Will Seek To End Afghan Combat Mission Next Year -- Washington Post
BRUSSELS – The United States and NATO will seek to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year and shift to a role of providing support and training to Afghan security forces, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Wednesday.
U.S. military commanders had said in recent weeks they would begin a transition this year toward taking more of an advisory role as Afghanistan’s national army and police take greater responsibility for fighting the insurgency. But Panetta’s remarks were the first time the Obama administration has said it could foresee an end to regular U.S. and NATO combat operations by the second half of next year.
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Update #1: Panetta: U.S. combat in Afghanistan to end next year -- USA Today
Update #2: U.S. and allies will shift Afghan mission to training next year -- L.A. Times
My Comment: With hints that U.S./NATO troops may leave even earlier, the Taliban have justification to believe that victory is close at hand. What is my take .... a Taliban victory is not a guaranteed thing when U.S. and NATO forces withdraw. In fact .... what I see is an Afghanistan fragmenting into different sectarian and ethnic factions. The victory that the Pashtun Taliban may feel is at hand will be short lived, probably followed by years of conflict and civil war.