U.S. to Leave 10,800 Troops in Afghanistan

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on a visit to Afghanistan today said the U.S. commanders in the country have been authorized to retain up to 10,800 troops into early in 2015 as a temporary measure to address shortfalls in the fight against the Taliban. The increase of 1,000 in the number of troops being kept in Afghanistan, over the previously scheduled 9,800, could be in response to a gap left by other NATO countries contributing fewer troops to the anti-Taliban campaign than pledged already.

Hagel also praised Afghan President Ghani and CEO Abdullah for forming a government of national unity by “putting needs of the country first.” Hagel made the comments during a joint press conference with Ghani at Arg, the presidential palace in Kabul.

Photo credit: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at a joint press conference at Arg, the presidential palace in Kabul; 6 December 2014 (Twitter/@jimsciutto)