The US and Afghanistan reached a deal on the text of the Bilateral Security Agreement; the agreement is contingent on approval by Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga, which convenes tomorrow. Secretary of State Kerry said the draft agreement provides that US forces would “train, equip, and assist” Afghan forces, but have no combat role. The draft agreement covers a 10-year training and counterterrorism mission likely involving up to 12,000 troops. It also specifies that US military personnel would be subject only to US law, but contractors would be subject to Afghan law.
