U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks during a joint news conference with Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani (not pictured) in Kabul December 6, 2014. The United States will keep up to 1,000 more soldiers than previously planned in Afghanistan into next year, outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Saturday, in a recognition of the still formidable challenge from Taliban insurgents. REUTERS/Mark Wilson/Pool (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: POLITICS)