A Look At How U.S. Troop Levels In Afghanistan Have Changed Under President Obama

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NPR: CHART: How The U.S. Troop Levels In Afghanistan Have Changed Under Obama

President Obama came into office pledging to end the U.S. military role in Afghanistan's war. But on Wednesday, the president announced there will still be around 8,400 American troops there when he leaves office in January, more than 15 years after America launched what's become the longest war in its history.

In his first few years in office, Obama dramatically ramped up the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, from a little over 30,000 to more than 100,000 troops at the peak in 2011.

The plan was to cripple the Taliban, train the Afghan military, stabilize government and then withdraw the U.S. forces by the time Obama's second term ended.

But a few things happened along the way.

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Previous Post: Pentagon Officials Are Unhappy With The White House Decision To Limit U.S. Troops In Afghanistan (July 6, 2016)

WNU Editor: This analysis sums up what the current numbers mean .... Obama, Interpreted: What 8,400 U.S. Troops in Afghanistan Really Means (Daniel L. Davis, National Interest)