Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Future of Afghanistan - And America

In Speech On Afghanistan, Obama Turns To The Battle For America’s Future
By MICHAEL SCHERER, TIME, June 22, 2011

President Obama arranged for the television networks to break from local programing Wednesday so he could announce his decision to withdraw 30,000 troops from Afghanistan by next summer, and transition out of combat there by 2014. But the Americans who tuned in got to watch a different speech altogether.

After dispatching with the particulars–the death of bin Laden, the trouble with Pakistan, the numbers in Afghanistan–Obama turned to the battle in the American heartland, the one that has alarmed its citizens for years without reprieve, the battle against creeping economic despair and stagnation, a feeling that the country, its economy, its workforce, its homes have all seen their best days.

“America,” Obama said, “it is time to focus on nation building here at home.”

For complete article, click here

Related:
US military leaders fear Afghanistan withdrawal will increase soldier deaths - Telegraph
Text of President Obama Speech on Afghanistan - New York Times
Analysis: No turning back for Obama on Afghan war - AP
Listen up, America! Global reactions to Obama's Afghanistan speech - CNN

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