Seeking an early exit, Barack Obama staked his presidency on a massive escalation of the war in Afghanistan, ordering 30000 more US troops into a bloody counterinsurgency with the promise to start bringing them home in July of 2011. The huge and rapid reinforcement, coupled with up to 10000 additional troops from European allies, will put more than 150000 foreign troops into Afghanistan by next summer - more than the Soviets deployed at the peak of their decade-long failed effort to subjugate the remote and rugged Central Asian country. Facing a war-weary nation in a nationally televised address, Mr. Obama said he decided to escalate the war only because he believes the security of the Western world hangs in the balance. "If I did not think that the security of the United States and the safety of the American people were at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow," the President told a reserved crowd of military cadets last night at West Point, the army's elite university for officers. Instead, Mr. Obama will more than triple - to 98000 - the number of US troops, compared with the 32000 in Afghanistan when he took office less than a year ago. Mr. Obama said the Taliban insurgency has rapidly gained control over huge sections of Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backwards," he said in the uncharacteristically low-key speech, which was broadcast live nationally. While the President said <b>...</b>

Published: 2009-12-02
Uploaded: 2010-08-24
Author: KambizShojaii