President Obama: 33,000 Troops Will Withdraw From Afghanistan Next Year

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brendan Quinn looks out over a village while providing security during a patrol in the Purchaman district of Afghanistan's Farah province, Sept. 26, 2011. Brendan is assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Alexandra Hoachlander

Obama: Still Intent On Withdrawing 33,000 Troops From Afghanistan Next Year -- Washington Post/AP

WASHINGTON — Citing “huge challenges” ahead, President Barack Obama says he still intends to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by next year and says the administration’s strategy for winding down the war remains unchanged.

Obama made his declaration in a letter to congressional leaders Friday. The letter accompanied a semiannual report assessing the administration’s policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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My Comment: The peace talks are all but dead. Violence is increasing. And casualties continue to climb. If 33,000 do come home next year, it is because the decision has been made to position our forces to eventually abandon Afghanistan to its own fate .... sooner rather than later.