10 things you need to know today: September 21, 2012

The last U.S. surge troops leave Afghanistan, Obama has a big cash advantage, and more in our roundup of the stories that are making news and driving opinion

Obama greets guests during a White House event on Sept. 18: The Obama campaign had $88.8 million in its war chest at the end of August versus $50.4 million for Republican challenger Mitt Romn
(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

1. LAST U.S. SURGE TROOPS LEAVE AFGHANISTAN

The last of the 33,000 American surge troops, sent to Afghanistan two years ago to combat increasing Taliban violence, have departed the country, according to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. That means there are now 68,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Panetta said the surge "accomplished its objectives of reversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield," although there has been a spike in insider attacks on foreign troops over the last year. The U.S. and its allies plan to leave completely by 2014. [Associated Press]

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