From A.P.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta laid out the administration’s most explicit portrayal of the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan, saying Wednesday that U.S. and other international forces in Afghanistan expect to end their combat role in 2013 and continue a training and advisory role with Afghan forces through 2014.

Excuse me if I'm skeptical about the sudden cessation of combat duties, the ability of Afghan security forces to guard a henhouse or indeed about all of Panetta's statement in this election year.

Update: the NYT is calling this "a major milestone toward ending a decade of war in Afghanistan". Hmmm.