The CIA informed U.S. military commanders in March that it would shutter its operations outside Kabul, a plan that has strained relations between the agency and the military. Above, Army Sgt. Maj. Brian Hamm, left, and 1st Lt. John Levulis patrol a mountainside south of Kabul. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
“They are beginning their own retrograde and they kind of sprung it on the military, which is raising concern,” said a senior military official about the CIA plan. Above, Army Spec. Romik Hazarian patrols up a mountainside south of Kabul. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
Pentagon officials warn that the CIA withdrawal is coming just as insurgent attacks are normally at their peak. Above, a child watches as Army Spec. Wilmer Bolivar digs in while providing security for a patrol through a village near Kandahar, Afghanistan. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
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The Pentagon is seeking to persuade the CIA to slow its withdrawal, to prevent a surge in insurgent attacks before the end of the year when most U.S. troops are due to leave. Above, Army Sgt. Kurtis Scheinder patrols on the edge of a village south of Kabul. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
