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Vice President Biden in Afghanistan: "It’s Afghans Who Must Build Their Nation"

previous photo Vice President Biden Visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq Show Gallery Info Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq last week. In Afghanistan, the Vice President assessed progress toward the transition to Afghan-led security beginning this year. In Islamabad, he met with leaders to discuss the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship and how ... When the Vice President landed in Afghanistan yesterday, where he is spending most of the week, it was another chapter in the Vice President's role dealing with that country that has stretched not just throughout this Administation, but back to a visit ...

A Surprise Visit to the Troops in Afghanistan

Posted on December 03, 2010 at 06:23 PM EST

Type: Blog Post, Includes Video

)   previous photo President Barack Obama Visits Afghanistan Show Gallery Info Pictures from President Barack Obama's surprise trip to visit troops at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2010. 1 of 13 ... page # 4 next page play next photo During a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Obama speaks to the troops at Bagram Air Base: So on behalf of me ...

One Night in Afghanistan

Posted on March 28, 2010 at 06:01 PM EST

Type: Blog Post, Includes Video

At 10:55 am ET (7:25 pm local), Air Force One touched down under the shroud of nightfall at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. President Obama had just made an unannounced 12 hour, 46 minute journey to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He ... the troops: Our broad mission is clear:  We are going to disrupt and dismantle, defeat and destroy al Qaeda and its extremist allies.  That is our mission.  And to accomplish that goal, our objectives here in Afghanistan are also clear:  We’re going ... or station, but based on a commitment to serve together, to bleed together and to succeed together as one people, as Americans. previous photo Afghanistan Show Gallery Info ...

The New Way Forward - The President's Address

Posted on December 01, 2009 at 09:35 PM EST

Type: Blog Post, Includes Video

| Japanese | Pashto  |  Portuguese | Slovenian  |  Spanish | Urdu Tonight the President outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.  Read ... ." "Although a legitimate government was elected by the Afghan people, it's been hampered by corruption, the drug trade, an under-developed economy, and insufficient security forces." "Afghanistan is not lost, but for several ... vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan." "After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home." "I opposed the war in Iraq precisely because I believe that we must ...

The Way Forward in Afghanistan

America and our allies in the future.  To accomplish this, he said we would pursue three objectives:  denying al-Qa’ida a safe haven, reversing the Taliban's momentum, and strengthening the capacity of Afghanistan's security forces and government so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan's future. He also committed to begin the responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan beginning in July 2011. On June 22, the President addressed the American people about the way forward in Afghanistan.  We have made substantial progress on the objectives the President laid out at West Point, and he made clear that we will begin the drawdown of U.S. troops from a position of strength.  We have exceeded our expectations on our core goal ...

Readout of the President’s Meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan

President Obama met today with his national security team as a part of his regular meetings on Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President received an update on our engagement with the Pakistani Government on a range of issues of mutual interest, including efforts to strengthen cooperation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The President also received an update on Afghanistan, including the building of capable Afghan security forces, our support for an Afghan-led reconciliation process, and our efforts to build a long-term, strategic partnership between the United States and Afghanistan. Finally, the President received an update on preparations for the NATO Summit in Chicago, where we will further define the ongoing transition to Afghan ...

From the Archives: Vice President Biden in Afghanistan

On this day last year, Vice President Biden was in Afghanistan meeting with President Karzai. He was there to assess progress on the ground as we move toward empowering a fully independent Afghanistan, capable of providing its own security and governance. ( Click here for a photo gallery from his trip ) Much has been accomplished since the Vice President first traveled to Afghanistan nine years ago as a Senator, after the Taliban was initially driven out of power. On his trip last year, Vice President Biden said that while the United States will remain a committed partner in furthering progress in Afghanistan, it is the responsibility of the Afghan people to build and secure their country: Together, we will work ...

From the Archives: President Obama's Surprise Visit to Troops in Afghanistan

Posted on December 03, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST

Type: Blog Post, Includes Video

On this day last year, President Obama made a surprise visit to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to thank troops for their service. Watch video from his address below. Watch First Lady Michelle Obama make a surprise call to a military spouse to say thanks Add a note to the USO's interactive thank you card for service members and their familes ...

What’s New in the Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan

What’s New in the Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan "As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…We are in Afghanistan to confront a common enemy that threatens the United States, our friends and allies, and the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan who have suffered the most at the hands of violent extremists. So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy." --President Barack Obama March 27, 2009 An Attainable Objective ...

Statement by the President on Ten Years of American Service in Afghanistan

Ten years ago today, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our nation went to war against al Qaeda and its Taliban protectors in Afghanistan.  As we mark a decade of sacrifice, Michelle and I join all Americans in saluting the more than half a million men and women who have served bravely in Afghanistan to keep our country safe, including our resilient wounded warriors who carry the scars of war, seen and unseen.  We honor the memory of the nearly 1,800 American patriots, and many coalition and Afghan partners, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan for our shared security and freedom.  We pay tribute to our inspiring military families who have persevered at home with a loved one at war.  And we are grateful to our ...