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US rethinks Afghanistan strategy US rethinks Afghanistan strategy
(9 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has confirmed a fundamental rethink of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan to combat an "increasingly perilous" situation.US President Barack Obama has confirmed a fundamental rethink of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan to combat an "increasingly perilous" situation.
He said growing radical forces in the area posed the greatest threat to the American people and the world.He said growing radical forces in the area posed the greatest threat to the American people and the world.
He said an extra 4,000 US personnel would train and bolster the Afghan army and police, and he would also provide support for civilian development.He said an extra 4,000 US personnel would train and bolster the Afghan army and police, and he would also provide support for civilian development.
The Afghan government said it welcomed "all [Mr Obama's] major conclusions".The Afghan government said it welcomed "all [Mr Obama's] major conclusions".
In particular, it said it welcomed the "the recognition of the regional aspect of the problem in Afghanistan and specifically recognition that the al-Qaeda threat is mainly emanating from Pakistan," said presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada, according to Reuters news agency.In particular, it said it welcomed the "the recognition of the regional aspect of the problem in Afghanistan and specifically recognition that the al-Qaeda threat is mainly emanating from Pakistan," said presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada, according to Reuters news agency.
See map of troop deployments See map of troop deployments in Afghanistan
President Obama has taken a gamble, says the BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson.
He is hoping an injection of extra resources and a new focus on Pakistan alongside Afghanistan will turn around the situation.
The question being asked is, "Can it work?", our correspondent says.
Bleak pictureBleak picture
President Obama said his "comprehensive new strategy" was an outcome of a "careful policy review" in which military commanders and diplomats, regional governments, partners, Nato allies, NGOs and aid organisations were consulted.President Obama said his "comprehensive new strategy" was an outcome of a "careful policy review" in which military commanders and diplomats, regional governments, partners, Nato allies, NGOs and aid organisations were consulted.
We have a clear and focussed goal - to disrupt and defeat al-Qaeda and prevent their return Barack Obama Change of plan UK considers troop boost Send us your comments 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 Barack Obama Change of plan UK considers troop boost Send us your comments
He painted a bleak picture of the situation, with insurgents increasing their control of territory in the region and attacks rising. He painted a bleak picture of the situation, with insurgents increasing their control of territory in the region around the Afghan-Pakistan border - which he termed "the most dangerous place in the world" for the American people - and attacks rising.
He said American strategy must relate directly to the threat posed to the Americans by al-Qaeda and its allies - who, he reminded his listeners, were behind the 9/11 attacks on American soil eight years ago.He said American strategy must relate directly to the threat posed to the Americans by al-Qaeda and its allies - who, he reminded his listeners, were behind the 9/11 attacks on American soil eight years ago.
And he said multiple intelligence estimates suggested fresh attacks on the US were being planned.And he said multiple intelligence estimates suggested fresh attacks on the US were being planned.
But he said targeting al-Qaeda was not only in the interests of American people, but populations around the world and Afghans themselves.But he said targeting al-Qaeda was not only in the interests of American people, but populations around the world and Afghans themselves.
"This is not simply an American problem. Far from it," Mr Obama said.
"It is instead an international security challenge of the highest order."
He said US forces should not be in Afghanistan to "control that country or dictate its future", but to "confront our common enemy".He said US forces should not be in Afghanistan to "control that country or dictate its future", but to "confront our common enemy".
'Not just bombs' Civilian infrastructure
To achieve its goals, Mr Obama said, the US needed:To achieve its goals, Mr Obama said, the US needed:
  • A "stronger, smarter and more comprehensive strategy"
  • Not to deny resources to Afghanistan because of existing commitments to Iraq - and here international help was needed
  • To recognise the connection between the future prospects of Afghanistan and Pakistan
  • A "stronger, smarter and more comprehensive strategy"
  • Not to deny resources to Afghanistan because of existing commitments to Iraq - and here international help was needed
  • To recognise the connection between the future prospects of Afghanistan and Pakistan
He said that Richard Holbrooke had already been appointed as the US envoy to both Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to facilitate this new shared perspective on both countries.He said that Richard Holbrooke had already been appointed as the US envoy to both Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to facilitate this new shared perspective on both countries.
And he said Pakistan would need American help in going after al-Qaeda, which Mr Obama admitted was "no simple task".
Have Your Say It is time to negotiate peace with the Taliban Joe, Arlington, VirginiaHave Your Say It is time to negotiate peace with the Taliban Joe, Arlington, Virginia
In Afghanistan, Mr Obama said a further 4,000 US troops would help train up the Afghan army and police - in addition to the 17,000 troops whose redeployment to Afghanistan has already been announced.
They will join some 38,000 US forces already on the ground.
Mr Obama said more help for training would also be sought from Nato allies, in order to build an Afghan army of 134,000 and a police force of 82,000.
And to help reinforce Afghanistan's crumbling civilian infrastructure, he said, US agricultural specialists, engineers and lawyers would be sent to the country.
He said this would help address the Afghan's government problems with corruption and the delivery of basic services.
'Not just bombs'
In Pakistan, Mr Obama said American help would be needed to go after al-Qaeda, which Mr Obama admitted was "no simple task".
But he said this would not amount solely to "bombs and bullets", adding that the success of this plan depended on the strength of the Pakistani government.But he said this would not amount solely to "bombs and bullets", adding that the success of this plan depended on the strength of the Pakistani government.
So, he said, he was calling upon Congress to pass a bill authorising a tripling of US spending in Pakistan to $1.5bn (£1.05bn) each year over the next five years, to help rebuild "schools, roads and hospitals".So, he said, he was calling upon Congress to pass a bill authorising a tripling of US spending in Pakistan to $1.5bn (£1.05bn) each year over the next five years, to help rebuild "schools, roads and hospitals".
But he said this was "no blank cheque" - and Pakistan would have to show its own commitment to rooting out the "cancer" of al-Qaeda and its allies. But he said this was "no blank cheque" - and Pakistan would have to demonstrate its own commitment to rooting out the "cancer" of al-Qaeda and its allies.
In addition to the 17,000 troops whose redeployment to Afghanistan from Iraq have already been announced, Mr Obama said a further 4,000 US troops would be sent there to help train up the Afghan army and police. Our correspondent Rob Watson says that certainly the promise of more troops, more civilians and more aid should make a difference - as will the expertise of US forces in counter-insurgency tactics gained in Iraq.
He said additional help for training would also be sought from Nato allies in order to build an Afghan army of 134,000 and a police force of 82,000. But he adds that turning things around will be no easy task, as President Obama himself acknowledged - with the Pakistan situation perhaps the most complex part of this foreign policy jigsaw.
In addition, he said, US agricultural specialists, engineers and lawyers would be sent to help reinforce Afghanistan's crumbling civilian infrastructure.
LEAD INTERNATIONAL FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN Locations refer to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Total contributing nations: 42 ISAF total strength: Approx 61,960 See total number of troops in Afghanistan LEAD INTERNATIONAL FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN Locations refer to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Total contributing nations: 42 ISAF total strength: Approx 61,960 See total number of troops in Afghanistan
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