President Obama Addresses the Nation: Statement on Troop Levels in Afghanistan [FULL SPEECH]

10/15/2015. Obama Announces Longer Troop Presence in Afghanistan. President Obama, elected to the White House seven years ago on a pledge to end America's war in Afghanistan, said Thursday that harsh realities on the ground required U.S. troops to remain there beyond his presidency to combat Al Qaeda and train local security forces. 

"While America's combat mission in Afghanistan may be over, our commitment to Afghanistan and its people endures," Obama said.  He added: "It's the right thing to do." 

The announcement, made in a national televised address, followed a months-long review of America's battle against the Taliban, which was launched after the 9/11 terror attacks by Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, and continues to rage. 

The United States also wants to avoid a repeat of what happened in Iraq following a reduction of American troops there: chaos, more fighting, and the growth of ISIS. The situation in Iraq forced Obama to increase the number of troops there to train local fighters and conduct airstrikes. 

The United States also believes that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is a more stable partner than his predecessor, Hamid Karzai, who left office last year.  - Read More at President Obama Addresses the Nation:

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Obama outlines plan to keep 5500 troops in Afghanistan -  More at Washingtonpost