U.S. Army Sgt. William Russell, left, security force team member for Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah, conducts a mission brief before a leadership meeting in Farah City, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives
Afghanistan US Troop Exit May Be Rapid -- ABC News
At first the military hoped there might be as many as 20,000 U.S. troops left behind after combat operations in Afghanistan officially cease at the end of 2014. But now an administration official is saying that number will not exceed 10,000 and could be even be zero.
That will likely mean between 3,000 to 6,000 troops. But remember Iraq, where everyone was predicting a sizable presence, and that was cut to nothing on the military side–outside of the embassy.
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More News On Afghanistan
ISAF Joint Command operational update, Jan 7 -- ISAF
Suicide bombers kill at least 5 at meeting of tribal elders in Afghanistan -- CNN
Afghan army recruits say they’ll be ready to go solo -- Stars and Stripes/L.A. Times
6 Afghan police officers missing in Farah province -- Khaama Press
Taliban warns of ‘prolonged war’ in Afghanistan if US stays after 2014 -- Zee News
Taliban promise 'sacred jihad' if US forces remain in Afghanistan past 2014 -- Long War Journal
Taliban warn no letup if U.S. troops stay -- UPI
President Hamid Karzai leaves Kabul for 3 day US visit -- Khaama Press
Afghan Security Tops Agenda for Karzai Washington Talks -- Voice of America
Afghan President Hamid Karzai heads to Washington, complaints in hand -- Washington Post
Karzai to discuss future relations -- UPI
Afghan Future to Top Karzai-Obama Talks -- Voice of America
World's best frenemies: Karzai, Obama set to discuss long-term ties -- NBC
Afghan President Meets Iran’s Security Chief -- Voice of America
Afghan President Meets With US Senate Delegation -- Voice of America
Karzai meets US senators ahead of Washington visit -- Khaama Press
Rare meeting of former Afghan warlords as election nears -- Khaama Press
Kabul to Seek More Control Over U.S. Aid -- Wall Street Journal
YouTube website unblocked in Afghanistan: Raheen -- Khaama Press
133 Children Die a Day in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
India, US should jointly work to bring stability to Afghanistan -- Economic Times
NY congressman: Americans 'tired' of war in Afghanistan -- MSNBC
Karzai's US visit sends signal to Taliban -- Deutsche Welle
Choices on Afghanistan -- New York Times editorial
Why 2013 will be an even tougher year for Afghanistan -- Chris Sands, GlobalPost.com