US Shaping Scope of Force in Afghanistan After 2014 by Michael Gordon, New York Times.
American and allied military planners are drawing up the broad outlines of a force that would remain in Afghanistan following the handover to Afghan security after 2014, including a small counterterrorism force with an eye toward Al Qaeda, senior officials say.
Under the emerging plan, the American counterterrorism force might number less than 1,000, one military official said. In a parallel effort, forces would advise Afghan forces at major regional military and police headquarters but most likely have a minimal battlefield role, with the exception of some special operations advisers...