Afghanistan: Obama invites Afghan leaders to White House --- President Obama invited the leaders of Afghanistan's new unity government to the White House early next year to discuss the way forward as the U.S. winds down combat operations in their country. -- Obama extended the operation during a video conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah. -- The leaders "discussed strengthening the Afghan National Security Forces to improve the security situation in Afghanistan, American and regional support for an Afghan-led peace process, and near-term Afghan budgetary reform and longer-term fiscal sustainability," said a White House statement. -- Obama also congratulated Ghani and Abdullah -- rivals in the recent election to replace Hamid Karzai -- for forming a unity government. -- The White House said that Obama "commended the President and Dr. Abdullah on their political agreement, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to support the unity government, and congratulated the two leaders for a productive first month for the new government." -- While the U.S. draws down combat troops in Afghanistan, it plans to maintain a residual force of about 10,000 troops to fight Taliban insurgents.