NATO leaves door open for troops to remain in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/10/nato-leaves-door-open-troops-remain-afghanistan

NATO leaves door open for troops to remain in Afghanistan
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
© October 8, 2015

BRUSSELS

NATO is leaving the door open for a larger security force in Afghanistan than initially planned after 2016, but officials said Thursday the alliance is waiting for the U.S. to announce its decision, which could come as soon as next week.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he discussed the issue with a number of NATO allies Thursday and asked them "to remain flexible" and consider making adjustments to their troop levels and posture in Afghanistan. He said a number of them indicated a willingness to change their plans.

Carter referred to NATO's "two-and-a-half year old" plan, which had the U.S. leaving just 1,000 troops in the country after 2016, lending credence to U.S. commanders' arguments that over time conditions in Afghanistan have changed.

The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Campbell told Congress this week that he has recommended to President Barack Obama that he keep more than 1,000 troops in the country beyond 2016. He would not provide a precise number. U.S. officials have said that the military has argued to keep several thousand there, and they suggest that the White House has not ruled out such a shift.