Bulletin:Two US Troops Killed in Afghanistan Combat

In a news release, NATO said two US service members were killed while conducting an operation in Afghanistan.They were killed by small arms fire.*
In accordance with Pentagon policy, the names of those killed in action are withheld for 24 hours following the notification of all next of kin.*
The incident brings the total of US service members killed in action this year in Afghanistan up to four.In 2018,13 American troops died in combat in the Afghan War.

More U.S. Marines Sent To Afghanistan

Another battalion of U.S. Marines are headed for Afghanistan.The 1400 combat troops are being deployed to solidify the NATO alliance position before the scheduled beginning of withdrawal this summer.This number of troops is within the limits already approved for the Obama surge,so no further authorization is required.
Even more combat troops may be sent to replace support personnel.The Afghan War is in a winter lull now in certain mountainous areas.Elsewhere,roadside bombs continue to take a heavy toll on allied forces.
The additional Marines will help stem the expected flow of Taliban militants across the border with Pakistan in the spring.The scheduled start of withdrawal of U.S. troops in July could consist of mainly a symbolic political gesture,if sufficient progress is not made on the ground by that time.
The Afghan War has wearied the American people with its constant stream of casualties over many years,although they are actually relatively low in number in comparison to those from other wars the nation has fought.A total of 2281 coalition forces have died in the war as of 12 January,and 9971 have been wounded.Vice-President Joe Biden just promised that U.S. troops would remain beyond the 2014 target date of full withdrawal,if the Afghans want them to.