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WASHINGTON—The Pentagon has sketched out plans for a scaled-back presence in Afghanistan, after the Obama administration pressed for options that would leave fewer troops in the country after 2014 than defense officials have proposed.

New Pentagon options would leave roughly 3,000, 6,000 or 9,000 U.S. troops, laying the groundwork for a more bare-bones international coalition in the country. Gen. John Allen, the commander of U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Afghanistan, had earlier suggested 6,000 to 15,000 U.S. troops would be needed.

The new deployment options come as Afghan President Hamid Karzai prepares to visit Washington next week to discuss the U.S. security presence after 2014, when most foreign forces in the country are slated to have departed.

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White House not considering troop presence above 10,000 after Afghanistan deadline, sources say -- FOX News
US draws plans for 'up to 9,000 troops in Afghanistan' -- AFP
US draws plans to shrink number of troops in Afghanistan: report -- Times live/AFP
Gen Allen proposes Afghan troop options after 2014 -- The Nation
White House considers 10,000 troops to remain in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Afghan War Commander Gives Options for After ’14 -- New York Times
Allen Delivers Afghanistan Withdrawal Plans -- Military.com
US to have a small force in Afghanistan post 2014 -- First Post
Obama-Karzai talks near: How many US troops should stay in Afghanistan? -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor
Assessing the White House’s Options for Post-2014 Afghanistan -- Max Boot, Commentary
As U.S. troops leave, Afghans fear for what's next -- CBS
2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher -- Global Post
Afghanistan by the Numbers: What 2012 Spells for the War's End -- US News and World Report
America’s Post-2014 Afghanistan Game Plan -- Daniel R. DePetris, The Diplomat
10,000 Troops In Afghanistan Is Not Enough: Rightsizing NATO’s Developmental Support Force Beyond 2014 -- Jeffrey Dressler, LTG James M. Dubik (U.S. Army, Ret.), Institute For The Study Of War