Armed Forces News

Backing off from a promise to end the U.S. mission in Afghanistan by the time he leaves office, President Obama announced that 9,800 U.S. troops would remain in the country at least into sometime in 2017. During an Oct. 15 press briefing, White House officials maintained that the troops’ primary mission would focus on training Afghan security forces and maintaining security against terrorist factions. Roughly 5,500 troops would be stationed in Kabul and Bagram Air Base, with other assets located in Jalalabad and Kandahar.