Obama approves wider US military role in Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama has approved a wider role for the US military in Afghanistan to help local forces combat the Taliban. The new plan, which follows months of debate, will allow for increased airstrikes against the Taliban when necessary and give US forces more flexibility in



how they partner with Afghan forces. The plan does not involve US ground troops. The decision will once again redefine the US military's role in Afghanistan more than a year after international combat troops finished their missions, leaving Afghan troops to fight the Taliban.