Afghanistan update:

Acting Deputy Spokesperson, Patrick Ventrell for Secretary of State meet with press yesterday and spoke about Karzi's statement regarding a request from the U.S. for nine bases after 2014.

According to President Obama, the U.S. does not seek permanent military bases in Afghanistan. We envision that the bilateral security agreement will address access to and use of Afghan facilities by U.S. forces. The bilateral security agreement is still being negotiated. 

In 2014 Afghanistan will be under a full Afghan lead. The U.S. is working through and negotiating the civilian and development assistance.