Pentagon weighs larger post-2014 force in Afghanistan

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/03/pentagon-weighs-larger-post-2014-force-in-afghanistan/



Pentagon weighs larger post-2014 force in Afghanistan
By Agence France-Presse
Monday, June 3, 2013 18:07 EDT

The Pentagon is weighing a proposal for a larger, temporary US force to remain in Afghanistan after most NATO combat troops withdraw in 2014, a spokesman said Monday.

Officials had previously suggested President Barack Obama’s administration was considering a smaller force of up to 8,000-12,000 troops to stay in Afghanistan after the bulk of a NATO-led contingent departs as planned at the end of 2014.

But the former US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, retired general John Allen, and a former top Pentagon official, Michele Flournoy, floated the idea last week of a “bridging force” that would expand the post-2014 presence by several thousand troops for up to three years.

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The Pentagon confirmed for the first time Monday that the option was being considered.