It sets the end of May as the final date for combat operations.

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And in those final moments, the combat was hand to hand.

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As part of preparations for the final withdrawal of international combat troops by the end of 2014, Afghanistan's security forces are being pressed into service alone.

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His final report put forward 58 recommendations to combat the problem, but many have yet to be implemented.

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Republicans condemn Mr Obama for naming 2014 as a final date for the withdrawal of American combat forces, accusing him of allowing the Taliban to wait patiently for the West to leave.

ECONOMIST: Foreign policy

Bush's visit to Qatar, a staunch U.S. ally that allowed the United States to base troops, weapons and combat equipment there, was his final stop on a weeklong trip.

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