Just as rumors of negotiations between the United States and the Taliban were revealed, President Barack Obama announced that the "surge" forces he deployed to Afghanistan in December 2009 will all return home in the next 15 months. Ten thousand of these forces will be home by the end of this year, and the remaining 23,000 soldiers will return by September 2012 (CNN). .
Obama referred to the surge as "one of the most difficult decisions that I've made as president" but said the military campaign was "meeting our goals" in Afghanistan and the troops will be withdrawn "from a position of strength" (CNN). .
"Al Qaeda is under more pressure than at any time since 9/11," Obama said. "Together with the Pakistanis, we have taken out more than half of al Qaeda's leadership. And thanks to our intelligence professionals and special forces, we killed Osama bin Laden, the only leader that al Qaeda had ever known. This was a victory for all who have served since 9/11" (CNN). .
He added, "Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war, at a time of rising debt and hard economic times. We take comfort in knowing that the tide of war is receding" (Stockman). .
Obama is coming through on the promise he made 18 months ago when he announced the surge at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. After the surge forces were deployed, raising the military deployment to almost 70,000 troops, Obama promising to begin returning the troops by next month. This time frame, according to Obama, allowed U.S. commanders another two "fighting" seasons, with the majority of U.S. forces still in reserves (CNN). .
Initially, many different reactions occurred. Defense Secretary Robert Gates backed Obama's decision. On the other hand, congressional leaders were split between those called for a more hasty withdrawal of the troops and those who warned against abandoning Afghanistan too early (CNN).
