More U.S. troops may stay in Afghanistan after 2016

Fewer troops to leave Afghanistan than expected

WASHINGTON -- The Taliban's recent surge in Afghanistan has apparently led President Obama to change his mind about pulling nearly all U.S. forces out by the end of next year.

It's a tough call for the president, who declared the American war in Afghanistan to be over.

Obama delays U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

There are currently 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Sources tell CBS News the U.S. is expected to leave around 6,000 us troops there after 2016.

That's an increase from the 1,000 soldiers the president had originally planned to station in Afghanistan by the end of his term.

Just last month, Taliban forces overran a major Afghan city for the first time since 2001.

U.S. military advisers warn that a more robust American military presence is needed to combat a resurgent Taliban, as well as growing threats from the Islamic State and al Qaeda.

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