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The article discusses the withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan in February 2013, with information on the role of the U.S. in Afghanistan's war against the terrorist organization the Taliban. Topics include the preparation of the Afghan military to take over operations previously led by U.S. troops; the vulnerability of American soldiers in the days before their departure; and attacks by militants at the U.S. outpost Strong Point Haji Rahmuddin II.

COMBAT OUTPOST SANGESAR, Afghanistan -- A burst of gunfire snapped First Sgt. Joseph Hissong awake. Then came another, and another, all with the familiar three-round bursts of an American assault rifle -- and the unfamiliar sound of its rounds being fired in his direction. The shooters were close. His first thought: ''Are Taliban inside the wire?'' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]