The committee highlighted significant gaps in the capabilities of the ANSF in areas such as helicopters and close air support and medical care.

BBC: Afghanistan peace deal with Taliban needed, say MPs

The second area of strain is over the cost of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the years to come.

ECONOMIST: Afghanistan��s fading hopes

These forces, including U.S. "surge" forces deployed in late 2009 and 2010, broke Taliban momentum and trained additional Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

These forces, including the U.S. "surge" forces, all of which had redeployed by the end of last summer, broke Taliban momentum and trained additional Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

WHITEHOUSE: Letter from the President -- War Powers Resolution

And he will make his decision based on the need to succeed further in achieving those objectives and to transfer authority gradually -- security authority over to the Afghan national security forces, with an eye to the fact that, as agreed to by NATO in Lisbon, we will eventually transfer full security lead over the ANSF in 2014.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing