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Subscribe to RSSOn the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden, President Obama made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan and said his goal "to defeat al-Qaida and deny it a chance to rebuild is now within our reach." NBC's Atia Abawi reports.
Wrapping up a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama made a televised address from the war-torn country to discuss an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai, which would see 23,000 U.S. troops withdrawn by the end of the summer. The agreement, he said, hails “a new kind of relationship” that would see the United States in a more supportive role.
“As our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country," Obama said. But the president was clear that the U.S. would stay engaged into the future.
“The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people. As you stand up, you will not stand alone,” Obama said. “It establishes the basis of our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions.”
President Obama’s visit to Afghanistan was kept secret until he met with Karzai. During Tuesday's meeting, which took place around midnight, the two leaders signed a post-war agreement that provides a framework to the U.S.’s commitment to Afghanistan after the long and unpopular war comes to an end.
The agreement opens the possibility for continued training of Afghan forces and targeted operations against al-Qaida, which is present in neighboring Pakistan but has a nominal presence inside Afghanistan.
President Obama goes to Afghanistan to sign post-war agreement
At the podium at Bagram Air Field, Obama noted that 10,000 troops were withdrawn last year and that nearly half the Afghan population lives in areas where Afghan Security Forces are taking the lead.
“The Iraq War is over,” the president said. “The number of our troops in harm's way has been cut in half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al-Qaida.”
On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama addressed the American people from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to announce an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai: "The goal that I set -- to defeat al-Qaida, and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is within reach." Watch the full speech here.
Still, Obama struck a cautionary note, warning of “more difficult days ahead” and acknowledged that “many Americans are tired of war.” But “we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war responsibly,” he said.
Transcript of Obama's speech from Bagram Air Base
International troops would continue to train and advise the Afghans, Obama said, and the U.S. would not build permanent bases in Afghanistan or patrol the country's cities and mountains.
The president also said the U.S. would not build permanent bases in Afghanistan or patrol the country’s cities and mountains.
The Afghan Security Forces would grow its force to 352,000 this year, Obama said, and sustain that level for three years.
“That will be the job of the Afghan people,” he said.
Obama planned to be on the ground for about seven hours in Afghanistan, where the United States has been engaged in war for more than a decade following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. More than 1,800 U.S. forces have been killed and 15,700 wounded in that time.
The trip also carries major symbolic significance for a president seeking a second term and allows him to showcase the killing a year ago of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
Media traveling with Obama on the 13-hour flight had to agree to keep it secret until Obama had safely finished a helicopter flight to the nation's capital, Kabul still launch lethal attacks.
Obama also addressed Pakistan, where bin Laden spent nine years hiding in a safe house in Abbottabad.
“I have made it clear to Afghanistan's neighbor - Pakistan - that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan's sovereignty, interests, and democratic institutions,” Obama said. “In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al-Qaida safe-havens, and respect for Afghan sovereignty.”
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Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world
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It is apparent that appeasement to the right was the intent of this trip and speech- for one knows that the right love the art of war and prefers violence to resolve difficulties- on the other hand the 2 billion bucks a week we are spending there slaughtering innocent women and children and making us hated throughout the world could probably be better spent elsewhere- estimates that this war at the end of the accounting- paying for veterans services, restocking our war apparatus etc will be in the neighborhood of 3 trillion bucks
Even with this surprise visit by President Obama, Rachel Maddow has spent more time in Afghanistan..
Good Gawd!! Are the American citizens EVER satisfied? You hate Obama because he won't, you hate Obama because he will and now you hate Obama because he did.. Can you EVER be satisfied? And don't say, "Only when he's out" because the clown that follows him will not be any better, but then again.. I guess you thrive in dissatisfaction because of the 'alternative' that you've chosen to replace him with.
Yea well his debt and deficit keeps rocketing upward at $1 million dollars every 20 seconds ....
Or should I say American tax payers debt and deficit ....
All day and everyday since he's been in office ....
Feel better .... ??
So who cares no other President care about it going all the way back to Reagan...
Yea but Obama's debt and deficit now exceeds our GDP ....
Typical "liberal" answer there maze........... Who cares? As along as it isn't your money, right?
When was the last time the Republicans balanced the budget?
I don't hate Obama, I just really dislike him. In my opinion, he is not only a bad president, he is EVIL and is not out for the best interests of OUR country. I say, CLOSE THE BORDERS TO ALL. Then, get rid of ALL ILLEGALS and they are ILLEGAL. NO ONE comes here until we straighten the country out. This would create jobs and take back work that ILLEGALS have taken. Ask anyone in construction how many jobs they have lost to ILLEGALS. The lousy Media doesn't tell the story. They ALL should be dumped and relaced. Greedy IDIOTS like MOST of congress and the government. I am tired of it all. I am 66 years old and have seen the GOOD TIMES and Obama has destroyed that. He is a COMMIE BASTARD. DOWN WITH HIS MARBLE FUDGE BUTT. NOW.........Concerned AMERICAN, Larry Velasco
I hate to say it in Fifty years history will make Obama one of the greatest President...poor George will be rated worst....so larry you can't be that concern at 66 you already got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel...Just keep collecting your SS check every month and thanks these your young people for working so Obama can keep paying you,,,,,
Damn the party still going. wonder if Obama partied in a place better than a Romney fixer uper.
Oh this just in Obama skipped the golf course today and went to Afghanistan because his putter was being refurbished.
Still makes me wonder why bush attacked Iraq for 9/11
Why .... ??
It was a great staging ground ....
Saddam gassed his own people and invaded Kuwait ....
Makes me wonder why Liberals still talk about Bush when he isn't President or even running for office? Just like Palin you guys are obsessed! But I mean what do you have to be proud of? So I guess attacking a former president is all you have. I feel sorry for you!
bigben:
we took care of the Kuwait deal earlier.
if you are indeed concerned about doing away with combat....every tyrant that has a link to what could be called genocide, strap your boots up and join the forces. We are going to need you and every member of your family able to carry a weapon to do what apparently is needed in Africa and other continents around the world.
And forget any concern about debt....it will triple and quadruple with the excursions we will have to embark on.
It may....just may....be a bit cheaper, in dollars and lives of our sons and daughters, if our country can ever get back to imposing our will toward ending genocide by building coalitions across the globe to force diplomatic solutions rather than drawing sabers.
Just my humble opinion.
To..big ''''
Where'd saddam get that gas....Scroll down for the receipts andinvoices of bio/ chems WMD reaguns sent to Iraq in the 1980's.....
Congressional Record: September 20, 2002 (Senate) Page S8987-S8998 HOW SADDAM HAPPENED http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2002_cr/s092002.htmlTo Dev"'''
Because republicans are never held accountable for anything ..and if they are their pardoned by the next republican president then given positions in the next republican presidents administration.. with nixon / ford they got a 2 for 1
There is more than enough time to bring Romney down to size. He has way too flaws and lies to let him off that easy. It's coming. Dems are in cruise mode right now.
You know, even McCain had a dossier worth of Romney's lies and flip-flops. Now there is four more years to add. Obama will face up to his economic questions and do well. Romney will not do so well when challenged on his and his other lies and pandering. Weak as hell candidate.
Romney will be beat. You frothing fools may not see it yet, but you will. Should have picked someone else. Obama knows how to run a campaign. Ask the Clintons. They were tougher to beat than Mitt will be.
Do some research. Despite what the news reported, WMD's (Sarin, Ricin, and Botulinism Warheads) were found in the Sargat Valley during Operation Viking Hammer, oddly enough confirmed by a journalist with MSNBC and British scientists using Osborn Scientific Group's field testing team.
Too bad the msm was hell bent on destroying the credibility of President Bush instead of reporting the truth.
To..Witch"""
Huh...?
Final Jeopardy category: Penguins
This Vice President said that budget deficit's don't matter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wi8Fv0AJA4 Theme song to make you decide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rag_UHK5lT0 Hint
Answer: DICK (shoot em in the face) CHENEY !
Funny, this isn't what this piece of trash, "Liar in Chief" , said about Afghanistan when he was on the campaign trail back in 2008.
Our next president cannot be bound by agreements Obama has made with fellow muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We cannot accept financing Sharia law with taxpayer dollars anywhere. Our Constitution demands the separation of church and state. How can we then be forced to pay for a religious state? Obama cannot legally spin support for Sharia law by paying Afghanistan three billion dollars a year and by paying Pakistan almost three billion dollars a year for the next decade. Obama's agreements are not sanctioned by congress. If payments to his muslim brotherhood can be made by Obama's authority against the financial and security interests of the United States then they can, and should, be dismantled by our next president.
Good Grief, MSNBC! You put this signature piece on the top three stories and though nobody would notice?
Get a GRIP.
First order of business is to keep the heroin production up. We wouldn't want our troops to have died in vain now would we.
Hey Maze, I am an INDEPENDENT. I vote the man, not the party. This is something that Demos. would never do. You are taking me wrong if you are referring to my statements. I'm for what's LEGAL and good and Obama is neither in my opinion which, in this country, so far, is still acceptable. If Barry had his way All of use would be under his control. That will never happen here even if the little BASTARD, and that's a true name, get's back in. If he does, you can bet ALL hell will break loose for sure. Concerned AMERICAN, Larry Velasco
Larry:
doesn't sound very independent to me. Did you vote for Truman by any chance?
Bravo Mr. President Obama, great job! An intelligent and conscientious opposition is a part of loyalty to country.
Yet another hole to pour tax paying dollars into. Truly amazing to see that nobody in power here is listening to the masses. I get the entire protection from terrorist idea, but why do we continue to support the Pakistan (screw USA) agenda?
Wonder how many service people showed up without being threatened. Why would anyone want to watch this piece of crap spew more BS. On another note you morons who belive this crap can kiss my AS-
Bill:
kiss an anonomous AS-? lol
you expect us to kiss all of them?
a perfect example of well-spoken bravery. lol.
Bill - you seem like a very bitter person. Try chilling out. Also, I wouldn't look to Romney being your savior. He's not winning. Sorry.
Also, if you are angry at Obama about Afghanistan, i guess you are even angrier at Bush. He got over 4,000 US men and women killed for nothing more than a personal vendetta. Obama is actually trying to get US soldiers out responsibly so that we don't have to worry about Afghanistan again. Why is that making you angry? Seems irrational to me.
OK...I surrender:
"anonymous"
There goes my credibility if there was any. lol
I think the job is done now. It's not going to get any better than it is right now. If his sons were fighting there after all these years knowing how futile it is he wouldn't be so free and easy with their lives. Our soldiers have given enough to that cause. Get the hellll out of that place.
So how many billions are we going to give Afghanistan after we leave every year?
With any luck at all, the Secret Service will redeem themselves and leave Obama there.
I guess he went down there to apologize for us going to war with them after 9-11
This guy does nothing unless it's political. Remember he's from Chicago, sort of.
It is all political stupid. This guy LOL . You are a friggen moron like always. Thick as a brick.
Where is my shovel, there is a snow job on the way.
Just what the Country needs...more soundbytes and no substance from Barry The Great. Yawn.
So the Osama Bin Laden thing is all Obama has to run on? I mean I guess that is the only good thing he has done since he was wrongly elected.
If that is the case. Get use to saying President Obama.
It doesnt matter who it is. There is someone else running these wars. We get all this BS from NBC,FOX, CBS and ABC, it doesnt matter. The american people want a solution, a fix, a way out to save US some money, but its never going to happen. Obama, Romney, even God himself couldnt get us out of Afg if we wanted.
i thought the jobs we started was to go in and kick their butts for allowing those that attacked us, to redide in their country. the job is done. the politicians keep saying this is not like vietnam. b.s. it is exactely like it. we are staying there and getting out service people killed and maimed without reason. we are promising that corrupt pompus a-- billions of dollars for him and his friends and get NOTHING in return. this is the vietnam of the middle east. this is wrong
Congrats Mr President for making friends around the world not enemies unlike the previous administration that was hated by 95% of the world.
You can call him racist names, complain about the unemployment rate, and complain about everything he does but I want to see you all complain most for the GOP being such a sorry party that sucks so much for losing to Obama in 2012.
Being former military, all I can say is I wanna puke!! All he did was give the ok for Bin Laden, nothing more than that. Next I am sure he will award himself some flippin medal for giving the go-ahead. Never in my 40 years have I have seen anything or anyone like him. The man has to us sleeping pills at night to sleep, cause there is no way he could sleep for what he has caused to the American people.
Brian:
I will give him his due for not claiming "mission accomplished" prior to it being so. What say you?
Wow Brian - Obama got the US out of Iraq. Were you this angry at Bush? He got 4,000 of your fellow military killed for false pretenses. What exactly did Obama do? Afghanistan was a mess. Now he is getting the military out responsibly so that soldiers do not have to go back there. How is that bad? Forty years covers Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton and G.W. Bush. Through all that, Obama is the worst and should not sleep at night. Ok, that makes sense.
I think you are using your military service as a cover for a general hatred for Obama. He never shipped anyone over to Iraq for false reasons. There has been Vietnam, Watergate, US hostages in Iran, Iran-Contra, Somaila, and Iraq. However, Obama getting US troops out of Iraq, presiding over the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and getting the US out of Afghanistan responsibly is the worst you've seen. OK.