Planning for Resolute Support Mission Continues Despite Lack of Bilateral Security Agreement

It appears that NATO and the U.S. military are conducting parallel planning. One is for the "zero-option" of no troops in Afghanistan beyond December 2014. The second is for 10K of U.S. and 6K of NATO to be in Afghanistan beyond December 2014; providing the Bilateral Security Agreement is signed. This force of 16K would be conducting the Resolute Support mission providing Security Force Assistance in the form of advisers and trainers but also conducting counter terrorism missions against remnants of al Qaeda that remain in Afghanistan. Read more in "Military Plans Reflect Afghanistan Uncertainty", The New York Times, January 29, 2014.