U.S. Explores Faster Afghan Exit

The Obama administration “is exploring a shift in the military’s
mission in Afghanistan to an advisory role as soon as next year,” the Wall Street Journal reports, “a move that would scale back U.S. combat duties ahead of
their scheduled conclusion at the end of 2014.”

“Officials said agreement on a formal shift to an advisory role could
come as early as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting in May — in
the heat of the U.S. presidential election campaign.”