article_snippet.sent: With NATO forces pulling back from the frontlines, concerns remain whether trained Afghan forces will be able to consistently repel the expected barrage of Taliban attacks. '
article_snippet.sent: NATO's combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force has stayed on to train and support local security personnel.
article_snippet.sent: US President Barack Obama last month backpedaled on plans to shrink the US force in Afghanistan this year by nearly half, agreeing to keep the current level of 9,800 US troops until the end of 2015.
article_snippet.sent: Afghan security forces are struggling to cope with the new offensive across Afghanistan  particularly with the gradual withdrawal of NATO forces .
highlights_snippet.sent: Afghan security forces are struggling to cope with the new offensive across Afghanistan .