The New York Times in a report published on its website Monday, cites unnamed American and European officials who say U.S. President Barack Obama has become "increasingly frustrated" in his negotiations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, resulting in the U.S. leader giving "serious consideration" to the zero option.

This is not the first indication that the U.S. might consider pulling all its troops from Afghanistan next year.  U.S. officials told the Reuters news agency in response to the Times report, that a comment made in January by Ben Rhodes, the deputy White House national security adviser, that the zero option is one the U.S. would consider, "still stands."