"The U.S. forces will more proactively support Afghan conventional forces," the official said. That means that U.S. forces should not be expected to accompany Afghan soldiers on day-to-day missions. The new policy would allow U.S. forces to accompany Afghans at key moments in their offensive campaign against the Taliban. Obama's decision again redefines America's support role in Afghanistan's grinding conflict, more than a year after international forces wrapped up their combat mission and shifted the burden to Afghan troops. AIDING AFGHAN OFFENSIVEThe decision is a departure from current U.S. rules of engagement in Afghanistan, which impose limits on U.S. forces' ability to strike at insurgents.

Source: Standard Digital June 10, 2016 04:30 UTC