Panetta suggests 23,000 forces sent by Obama to Afghanistan can stay through fighting season

President Barack Obama ordered 33,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in late 2009, and his defense secretary Thursday seemed to endorse commanders’ desire to keep them there as long as possible next year. - Panetta suggests 23,000 forces sent by Obama to Afghanistan can stay through fighting season
Petraeus Tells CIA to Consult Troops on War in Afghanistan