The war in Afghanistan began October 7, 2001. Polls showed 88% of the citizens of the United States favored military action. By October 2012, 60% stated U.S. troops should be removed immediately.
In a surprise move, President Obama announced the role of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will change in the spring of 2013.
“Our troops will have a different mission, training, advising, assisting Afghan forces. It will be an historic moment,” said Obama.
Obama said, as quoted by Reuters: “It will be a historic moment and another step toward full Afghan sovereignty.”