NOTE: Read the “Background” and watch the news report under “Resources” before answering the questions.

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. How many troops were in Afghanistan in 2011? How many will the coalition maintain after this drawdown?

3. What will the mission transition into? (what was its role; what will the new role be?)

4. a) What was the purpose of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command?
b) Did the U.S./NATO coalition accomplish its goal? How do you know?

5. At a news conference with President Ashraf Ghani, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said the original plan to cut U.S. troop levels to 9,800 by the end of 2014 had been abandoned, but not because of the recent surge in Taliban attacks.
For what reason did the number change?

6. President Ghani took over in October after Hamid Karzai ruled Afghanistan for 10 years. How does President Ghani’s administration differ from that of President Karzai, according to Gen. Campbell?

7. Ask a parent:
a) What do you think will happen in Afghanistan now that the combat mission has ended - e.g.: the situation will stay the same, the Afghan army will do as good a job as the U.S. military, things will get worse, etc.
b) Do you support the troop drawdown in Afghanistan? Explain your answer.