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Planning for future of US presence in Afghanistan

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    Options for number of troops to remain

  • Duration 2:41
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Thank you more on this for the panel as President Obama -- several options for ending the US military's mission in Afghanistan America's longest war ever.

Fox News has learned exclusive details about the number of troops that will be ordered to remain behind.

National security correspondent Jennifer Griffin has that.

Fox News has learned the White House is not considering any option that would leave more than 101000 American troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

According to a senior administration official.

Despite reports the White House was considering plans to leave a much larger footprint.

After the deadline for handing over security to the Afghans.

Earlier this week general John Allen the top US commander in Afghanistan.

Provided three options to the Pentagon for opposed -- -- fourteen force none of them quote went north of 101000 troops according to the administration official put 101000 -- really suggests the administration is trying to hold down the numbers.

Right now.

The most likely final figure will be about 6000.

It gives us a special operating direct.

Action element.

Probably the use of drones.

The drone strikes.

They -- 2 bases in eastern Afghanistan and a small headquarters element in Kabul the final decision on troop levels rests with the president.

General Allen remains the subject of an investigation into whether he exchanged inappropriate emails with Tampa -- socialite Jill Kelly.

I don't think this is going to impact his ability to give.

The White House and to give the Pentagon and and the chairman of the joint staff exactly what he thinks.

Needs to -- it to be the set of numbers to be considered others think Allen may not be getting all he wanted.

General Allen was looking for a higher number somewhere starting at ten and going up because he not only wanted to do that special forces mission.

But he also wanted to do a more robust train and assist mission because he felt.

That they Afghan army and police really have a long way to go.

-- -- Pentagon officials -- a growing confidence in the Afghan security forces as a factor in planning for a smaller US presence.

-- the most recent Afghan progress report prepared by the Pentagon for congress -- suggested otherwise.

Only one out of 23 Afghan military battalions.

Had the ability to fly its own air support.

The rest still relied completely on the US and NATO.

Insider attacks against US troops by Afghan security forces 47 last year alone is another factor.

Presidents Karzai and Obama will meet at the White House to discuss troop levels and the wish list of military equipment Karzai is bringing to Washington next week Brett.

In the -- a lot of the Pentagon Jennifer thank you.

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