The White House has asked the Pentagon for initial recommendations for the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan in 2014. It is the first step in planning the final U.S. drawdown, despite a bleak security outlook. Sources told Reuters the President’s top aides have asked for scenarios for 2014.

Security remains troubling on the ground and the Afghan government remains weak and corrupt. The plan to aggressively shrink the U.S. force, however, does not sit well with the Pentagon.

The military would rather keep a larger force in Afghanistan for as long as possible as it tries to make security gains permanent, Reuters characterizes Pentagon thinking.

Click here for a White House infographic of proposed troop levels.

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