US President Barack Obama unveiled a new war strategy for Afghanistan today with one goal, to wipe out al-Qaeda militants there and in neighboring Pakistan who he said were plotting new attacks on the United States.
Mr Obama said the US military in Afghanistan would shift the emphasis of its mission to training and expanding the Afghan army so that it could take the lead in securing the country and allow US troops to return home.
The new strategy comes with violence in Afghanistan at its highest level since US-led forces ousted the Taliban in 2001 for sheltering al Qaeda leaders behind the September 11th attacks.
The Islamist militia has escalated its attacks, often operating from safe havens in tribal border regions of Pakistan.
"The situation is increasingly perilous," Mr Obama said in a somber speech in which he sought to explain to Americans why he was boosting US military and civilian involvement in the seven-year-old war and expanding its focus to include Pakistan.
"The world cannot afford the price that will come due if Afghanistan slides back into chaos or al-Qaeda operates unchecked," he said.
He said his new war strategy for Afghanistan had one "clear and focused goal", to disrupt, dismantle and eventually defeat al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He said multiple intelligence estimates had warned that al-Qaeda was actively planning attacks on the United States from safe havens in the mountainous border regions of Pakistan.
"For the American people, this border region has become the most dangerous place in the world," he said.
As part of the new emphasis on training, 4,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division are to be deployed in southern Afghanistan to embed and partner with the Afghan army by the autumn.
They will be in addition to the 17,000 combat troops Mr Obama has already ordered sent to the country.
Reuters