About 25,000 Troops May Be Needed in Afghanistan After 2014, Planners Say [View all]

[Daniel537]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/05/02/151854753/about-25-000-troops-may-be-needed-in-afghanistan-after-2014-planners-say

When President Obama on Tuesday signed a 10-year security agreement with Afghan President Karzai, it wasn't announced how many U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan past 2014 — the year Afghans are supposed to take over full responsibilty for security there.

American military officials say that the planning figure is 25,000 troops, commanded by a three-star general. They would include trainers as well as thousands of Green Berets and other special operations troops who would work with Afghans on counter-terror missions. NATO would be asked to contribute troops, but it's likely that the U.S. would contribute the bulk of those forces.