Australia 's 1,550 troops in Afghanistan a fraction of the overall number of foreign troops deployed . PM Julia Gillard announces plans to pull them out early citing an improvement in security . Afghan president Hamid Karzai said it showed the country 's forces would be able to defend their country after international forces leave . Weekend attacks seen as a marker of how far Afghan security forces have improved . Comment:
Australia 's 1,550 troops in Afghanistan a fraction of the overall number of foreign troops deployed . PM Julia Gillard announces plans to pull them out early citing an improvement in security . Weekend attacks seen as a marker of how far Afghan security forces have improved . Comment: