Obama unveils plan for Afghanistan war

West Point – It’s been referred to as an icon of military power. Others have dubbed it a wellspring of institutional values. Andrew Jackson called it the best school in America. Tuesday night the United States Military Academy was the place that President Barrack Obama announced the deployment of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in early 2010.

That mandate was balanced by a pledge to begin withdrawing United States forces from the war- stricken territory in eighteen months. The eight year old Afghanistan War has seen 849 Americans killed. Although a legitimate government was put into place in Afghanistan during that span, the situation, along with morale there, has rapidly deteriorated since the beginning of the year. Now ravaged by drug trade, a bad economy and insufficient security forces, its people face numerous dangers. It\’s a situation Obama promised to address once elected. After much careful planning, the time for action has come. Tuesday, he looked directly into the eyes of cadets and revealed the details.

\”As your Commander-in-Chief, I owe you a mission that is worthy of your status,\” said Obama. \”I do not make this decision lightly; I make it because our national security is at stake, and I realize this decision demands a lot of you.\”

One of those cadets in attendance was Milton, New York’s Daniel White, a 2007 graduate of New York Military Academy.

\”I’m very excited that Obama chose West Point to deliver this speech tonight; it will directly determine all of our futures here,\” said White prior to the speech. \”The numbers he will decide upon will have a huge effect.\”

Those numbers will not only involve the deployment of 30,000 American troops, 5000 which will be specifically designated as trainers to the Afghanistan people, but also an allied effort. Obama has further urged the commitment of 5,000-10,000 additional troops coming from the NATO allies.

\”We cannot keep the troops at the number they are at, as it just keeps things at the status quo,\” said Obama. \”We must increase the pressure on al-Quaida and deny them a safe haven.\”

Other objectives laid down by the President in the War Plan include reversing the Taliban’s momentum as well as strengthening the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government. In the first year alone, the new war bill is expected to tally close to thirty billion dollars. It’s a hefty price, but one that brings big intangible dividends.

\”We want to help strengthen the people of Afghanistan and make them self- sufficient,\” said Obama.

And as far as Pakistan?

\”We share a common enemy in Islamic terror,\” said Obama about the brewing spread of al-Quaida pestilence to neighboring Pakistan.

\”We will help Pakistan target terrorists and develop a partnership in mutual respect with them,\” he added.

Despite the augmented military numbers set to be released, the President is well aware of the road that confronts him and the nation.

\”America will have to show strength in how to end wars and not just wage them,\” Obama said. \”We can’t just depend on the military alone; let me be clear, this will not be easy.\”