More U.S. Troops To Remain In Afghanistan In 2015 Than Initially Planned

U.S. To Leave More Troops Than First Planned In Afghanistan - Sources -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The United States is preparing to increase the number of troops it keeps in Afghanistan in 2015 to fill a gap left in the NATO mission by other contributing nations, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

The final numbers are still being agreed, but there will be at least several hundred more than initially planned, one of the sources said.

"If they hadn't done that, the mission would have lost bases," the source said.

Under the U.S. commitment, described as a "bridging solution" until other nations fulfill their pledges later in the year or the troops are no longer needed, Washington may provide up to 1,000 extra troops.

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Update: Obama confronts need for broader U.S. military role in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times

My Comment: This mission is changing everyday. Here is an easy prediction .... U.S. troops are not going to leave after 2015 .... in fact .... it would not surprise me if more U.S. troops are deployed in 2016, and the future of the Afghan mission will be left to the next President after the 2016 Presidential elections.