United States President Barack Obama has set out his strategy for Afghanistan. US forces will be strengthened with an extra 30,000 soldiers over the next six months.

The president chose the West Point Military Academy as the backdrop for his nationwide address on Afghanistan.

Based on an original article by Reinout van Wagtendonk

Extremism
Mr Obama attempted to convince Americans of the necessity of intensifying the war in Afghanistan. Since becoming president, the number of US troops there has already more than doubled from 32,000 to 68,000. The new deployment of an additional 30,000 is designed to improve the security situation for the Afghan population, allowing the Afghan army and government to tackle the Taliban and al-Qaeda for themselves. The president also hopes the extra soldiers, together with economic and diplomatic support, will push Pakistan's government and armed forces to do more to deal with extremism.
 
Mr Obama wants to see results within 18 months, with US troops starting to pull out of Afghanistan in the summer of 2011. Republican Senator Jon Kyl says the opposition in Washington is for the most part satisfied with the plans, but is critical of giving a date for withdrawal.
 
"Talk of an exit strategy is exactly the wrong way to go because all that does is signal to the enemy, and also to our allies, the folks in Pakistan and the Afghanis, that we are not there to stay until the mission is accomplished..."
 
Money
As US commander-in-chief, Mr Obama has the power to order the extra troops on his own initiative. However, Congress could vote to stop funding the deployment during its spring budget debate. Opinion polls indicate the majority of Americans have had enough of the Afghan war.
 
Despite this the president says the US has to stay the course:
 
"I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the epicentre of violent extremism practiced by al-Qaeda. It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11 and it is from here that new attacks are being planned as I speak."
 
But, for many people 11 September 2001 is now a long time ago and the current economic crisis in the US is a much more pressing problem. So, the question remains: will President Obama be able to count on the support of his fellow Americans for his 'war' in Afghanistan?

Photo: US President Barack Obama shakes hands with cadets after speaking about plans for the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, USA, 1 December 2009 - EPA/JUSTIN LANE