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Obama: U.S. to Decrease Troops in Afghanistan

President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to Congress in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013

Screen shot White House video

U.S. troops in Afghanistan will decrease by 34,000 over the coming year, President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said he welcomed the president's decision, which was based on the strategic recommendation by Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, outgoing commander of U.S. and NATO Forces in Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Featured Photos

  • President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013.  Obama said the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be reduced by 34,000 over the coming year.  Screen shot White House video
  • Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, left, gives testimony on the impact of sequestration before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2013. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, center, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, right, also testified.  U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade
  • Former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha applauds as he points out surviving members of his unit to stand during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013, recognizing him for receiving the Medal of Honor. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta walks with former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha before a ceremony to honor him at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013. Romesha received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House, Feb. 11, 2013. DOD photo by Erin Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta presents former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha with the Medal of Honor Flag at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta visits with former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha and his family in his office at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013. Romesha received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House, Feb. 11, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta stands for the national anthem with Michael L. Rhodes, director of administration and management at the Pentagon, at a farewell ceremony in the courtyard at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta thanks the Pentagon staff at a farewell ceremony in the center courtyard at the Pentagon, Feb. 12, 2013. Panetta is stepping down as the 23rd defense secretary. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter and Robert F. Hale, the Defense Department's comptroller, testify on the impacts of sequestration before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson of Florida, Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, listen to testimony on the impact of sequestration from defense officials in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013.  DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies on the impact of sequestration before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2013. Other defense leaders, including Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, center, also testified on the issue. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Martin, left, and Ray Sudweeks, right, U.S. State Department representative, pass out toys and school supplies to Afghan children during a visit in Farah province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2013. Martin, a civil affairs officer, is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. 
 U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives
  • U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Martin, left, unloads a box of school supplies during a visit to a local returnee and refugee village in Farah province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2013. Martin, a civil affairs officer, is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives
  • Marines execute a Table 3 shooting exercise on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 6, 2013. Table 3 markmanship gives the Marines an opportunity to hone their rifle skills by shooting targets while on the move. The targets are set up from distances of five, 10, 15 and 25 yards. The Marines are assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Chad Pulliam

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