New Afghanistan troop plan goes to White House next week

Senior Pentagon officials say the department expects to send a proposal to the White House next week laying out an enduring U.S. presence in Afghanistan. It is likely include a request for more U.S. troops.

U.S. military officials have said they need more forces to meet the growing training and advising mission. A senior NATO official says the U.S. has sent letters to allies asking them to increase troop commitments. The official was not authorized to discuss the letters publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Theresa Whelan is assistant defense secretary for special operations. Whelan told senators Thursday the plan likely will go to the White House next week. She says the intention is to adjust the approach in Afghanistan to break what commanders say is a stalemate.