With a new version of a “reduction in violence” agreement with the Taliban expected to be announced soon, the Pentagon is poised to begin long-planned force reductions in Afghanistan, once it’s clear the deal is working.

In remarks at the Atlantic Council Tuesday, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien hinted that an agreement was near, saying, “Some good news could be forthcoming,” but also downplayed the idea that the United States would reduce its footprint in Afghanistan right away.