Obama plans steep drawdown in Afghanistan in coming year

The announcement that 34,000 U.S. troops will be brought home in the next 12 months reflects the president’s determination to end America’s role there.

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will withdraw about half the 66,000 U.S. troops now in Afghanistan over the coming year, a steep reduction that reflects President Obama’s determination to end America’s role in the 11-year-old conflict.