Obama: 8,400 troops to remain in Afghanistan

President Barack Obama announced a change of troop drawdown in Afghanistan Wednesday. He said 8,400 troops would remain into next year.

Originally he had planned to drop troop levels to 5,500.

Obama says the security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious. And he says Afghan security forces are not as strong as they need to be.

"We are no longer engaged in a major ground war in Afghanistan. But given these narrow missions it continues to be dangerous," said Obama.

The numbers reflect a compromise between Obama's original plan and what many military commanders had recommended.

"Over the past year and a half, 38 Americans have lost their lives in Afghanistan on behalf of our security in Afghanistan," said Obama.

With the Associated Press