USA TODAY: … The two leaders say the Afghan army is “exceeding initial expectations” and the Afghan forces will be put in the combat lead across Afghanistan months ahead of schedule this spring, rather than this summer as was initially planned…
“Starting this spring our troops will have a different mission—training, advising and assisting Afghan forces,” Obama said at an afternoon news conference
Afghans now lead about 80% of operations and by February are expected to have the lead in securing 90% of the Afghan population, according to a joint statement issued by Obama and Karzai… (more)
