No big change in US troops in Afghanistan: Mullen

The top US military officer said today he doesn't foresee big changes to the number of US forces fighting in Afghanistan. Adm Mike Mullen told troops there won't be any significant increases over the current level of roughly 100,000.

The top US military officer said today he doesn't foresee big changes to the number of US forces fighting in Afghanistan. Adm Mike Mullen told troops there won't be any significant increases over the current level of roughly 100,000.

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But he says there won't be big decreases either. The Obama administration plans to begin a modest withdrawal in July next year. "I'm comfortable with where we are in terms of numbers," Mullen later told reporters travelling with him. He said it remains the plan to bring some forces home in July.

"From where? How many? Don't know," he said. Mullen spoke in Iraq, where he's making a holiday-season visit to troops. (AP)