U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan past Dec. 31 deadline

The U.S. and Afghanistan will sign a deal to allow thousands of American troops to remain overseas after the official combat mission concludes at the end of the year.

John Podesta, a senior adviser to President Obama, said Monday that the new government in Kabul would agree to allow 10,000 troops to remain in Afghanistan past Dec. 31. Afghanistan on Monday swore in President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, marking the first democratic transfer of power since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Earlier this year, outgoing President Hamid Karzai said he would not let any residual force stay in Afghanistan into next year.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up