U.S. Reviewing Withdrawal Plans For Afghanistan. Thousands of U.S. Soldiers May Stay Beyond 2016

U.S. soldiers arrive at the site of a car bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2015. REUTERS/MOHAMMAD ISMAIL

IBTimes: US, Allies Considering Keeping Thousands Of Troops In Afghanistan Beyond 2016 Amid Pullback Plans: Report

The U.S. and allied defense officials are considering keeping thousands of American troops in Afghanistan beyond the end of 2016, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The officials are reportedly concerned about the plans of White House to scale back the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

Authorities are reviewing new options that include keeping the current U.S. presence at or near 10,000; reducing it slightly to 8,000; or continuing with the current drawdown plans, the newspaper reported. U.S. Army Gen. John Campbell, the top international commander in Afghanistan, had sent five different recommendations to the Pentagon and the NATO officials, the Journal reported, citing the U.S. and allied officials.

WNU editor: Afghanistan is getting worse ..... so this change in plans to withdraw military forces should not surprise anyone. This is also an issue that President Obama has decided that he is going to hand to the next President .... and let him )or her) make the decision on staying or leaving.

More News On Reports That U.S. And Coalition Forces May Remain In Afghanistan After 2016

US reportedly considers leaving thousands of troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016 -- FOX News
U.S. re-evaluating troop drawdown in Afghanistan -- Washington Times
US troops could remain in Afghanistan beyond 2016 as President Obama considers extending deployment to stop a Taliban revival -- Daily Mail
U.S., allies review Afghan pullback options: WSJ -- Reuters
U.S., Allied Military Review New Options for Afghan Pullback -- WSJ
Defense officials reviewing new options for Afghan drawdown -- The Hill
US Officials Reevaluating Afghanistan Pullback After Islamic State Surge in Iraq -- Washington Free Beacon
US, NATO review new troops withdrawal options amid ISIS rise and resurgent Taliban -- Khaama Press