What did Barack Obama announce during the speech at the West Point Military Academy?”
Wednesday’s hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee examines the careful balancing act President Obama attempted Tuesday night in announcing his troop increase in Afghanistan–a boost of 30,000, faster than expected, but a withdrawal target starting in summer 2011. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joint Chiefs Chairman Michael Mullen attempt to keep up the juggling, even as lawmakers such as Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and ranking minority member Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) try to pin them down. 10:18 a.m. — Lieberman weighs in. Gates offers a further refinement of the withdrawal date in response to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who seems to be trying to chart a middle course between Levin and McCain. The defense secretary says he expects a “thinning of forces” to start in July, 2011 as “we turn over more districts and provinces” to the Afghani government, but “we are not going to throw these guys into the swimming po
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gHrqPvdzFF5Tb0L0JCA_rqNQHoXwD9CASPAG1 Text of President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan By The Associated Press (AP) Text of President Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday about his plans for the Afghanistan war, as provided by the White House: Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan — the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests and the strategy that my Administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful conclusion. It is an honor for me to do so here — at West Point — where so many men and women have prepared to stand up for our security, and to represent what is finest about our country. To address these issues, it is important to recall why America and o
Barack Obama delivered a speech tonight at West Point Military Academy to announce a surge of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Obama also announced that American troops will begin to come home in 18 months. West Point Military Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. Founded in 1802, USMA is the oldest service academy in the United States.
