President Barack Obama's national security adviser says the July 2011 date for the beginning of a U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan is "not a cliff."
Instead, James Jones calls it "a guide slope."
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Jones says Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan looks toward a downward "ramp" for American forces beginning 18 months from now as the U.S. and its allies are able to prepare additional Afghan soldiers and police to take over security.
Jones spoke Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."
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