Analysis - Even if foreign troops leave Afghanistan, U.S. has some options

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai addresses media representatives during a press interaction in New Delhi December 14, 2013. REUTERS/Findlay Kember/Pool

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials have warned of the potential for catastrophe if Afghan President Hamid Karzai fails to sign a security pact to permit foreign forces to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

Unless a deal is reached to enable a modest U.S. force of perhaps 8,000 to stay in the country, the Taliban might stage a major comeback, al Qaeda might regain safe havens and Afghan forces might find themselves starved of funding, the officials say. The post-2014 U.S. force envisioned would train and assist Afghan soldiers and go after the most dangerous militants.