The Washington Post reports that “top U.S. officials have shown a willingness to adjust President Obama’s plan for winding down the war in Afghanistan, allowing military commanders to delay troop departures and expanding combat authorities for forces remaining on the ground.”  

“But there’s one thing they’ve made clear is not up for discussion: Obama will end the U.S. military mission entirely by the time he leaves office in January 2017.”  

“Obama is expected to announce this week that he will keep as many as 5,000 more U.S. troops in Afghanistan over the next year than originally planned. The overall goal, though, hasn’t changed. The president is determined to leave office with fewer than 1,000 U.S. personnel in Afghanistan, based at an office of security cooperation in Kabul.”