Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan to discuss the Obama administration’s plans for its troop presence over the next several years. The White House has long billed its 2014 withdrawal deadline as an end to the Afghan War, but reports have recently surfaced it plans to keep some 10,000 troops in Afghanistan well beyond that date. Meeting with U.S. commander, General John Allen, Panetta praised the job of U.S. forces on the ground.

Leon Panetta: “My purpose here is to have a chance to talk with John and the other leaders, to see the situation on the ground, talk to the Afghan leaders and try to tee up decisions that the president ultimately has to make with regards to the future. You guys have done a great job. I can’t tell you how proud we are of all the work you’re doing.”