combat troops

Parliamentary elections Sunday in Iraq will not only decide who will run the country and test its nascent democracy.

The outcome could affect the U.S. role as it begins its phased exit of 100,000 American troops. The Obama administration has pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops by the end of August and have the rest of them out by the end of next year.

The U.S. effort in Afghanistan's Helmand Province is pushing the Taliban into neighboring Kandahar, putting the city and its surrounding area under stress, the general who leads the U.S. intelligence efforts in Afghanistan says.

Maj. Gen. Michael T. Flynn also says it's too soon to tell if additional combat troops in Kandahar can oust the Taliban from the area.

Nearly two weeks after U.S. combat troops officially pulled out of Iraq's cities, the government in Baghdad says the arrangement is going smoothly.

Many Iraqis, however, aren't so sure and are questioning why American soldiers are still on their streets.

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