NPR reports that “should the Afghan government sign a security agreement, the U.S. plans to keep between 6,000 and 9,000 American troops in Afghanistan even after the U.S. and NATO’s combat mission officially ends late in 2014.”

“Beginning in 2015, the remaining troops would train Afghan soldiers and mount operations against any remnants of al-Qaida.”

“But they wouldn’t be the only ones who stay behind: U.S. troops would almost certainly be outnumbered by civilian contractors.”