From Reuters:  President Barack Obama will announce in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that 34,000 troops – about half the U.S. force in Afghanistan – will return by early 2014, a senior administration official said. . . .

"President Obama will announce that 34,000 U.S. troops will return home from Afghanistan by this time next year, decreasing by half the number of U.S. forces serving in Afghanistan," a senior administration official said.

"Further reductions will continue through the end of 2014 as Afghans take full responsibility for their security," the official said on condition of anonymity. . . .

Washington’s NATO allies have also been steadily reducing their troop numbers despite doubts about the ability of Afghan forces to shoulder full responsibility for security.  (photo: Reuters)

Image: reuters%202%2012%2013%20Obama.jpg