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Read the fact sheet in the following languages: English | Albanian | Chinese | Croatian | Dari | Georgian | German | Italian | Japanese | Pashto | Portuguese | Slovenian | Spanish | Urdu
Tonight the President outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Read the transcript or watch the full video below, we will update this post with translations of the address as they come in:
During the President's speech we sent out key lines as they were delivered on Twitter, which together offer a taste of the President's key messages:
"We did not ask for this fight. On September 11, 2001, nineteen men hijacked four airplanes and used them to murder nearly 3,000 people."
"Today, after extraordinary costs, we are bringing the Iraq war to a responsible end."
"Although a legitimate government was elected by the Afghan people, it's been hampered by corruption, the drug trade, an under-developed economy, and insufficient security forces."
"Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backwards... the status quo is not sustainable."
"As your Commander-in-Chief, I owe you a mission that is clearly defined, and worthy of your service."
"I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan."
"After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home."
"I opposed the war in Iraq precisely because I believe that we must exercise restraint in the use of military force..."
"Years of debate over Iraq and terrorism have left our unity on national security issues in tatters..."
"As President, I have signed a letter of condolence to the family of each American who gives their life in these wars."
"So no – I do not make this decision lightly. I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake."
"We must keep the pressure on al Qaeda, and to do that, we must increase the stability and capacity of our partners in the region."
"First... a military strategy that will break the Taliban’s momentum and increase Afghanistan’s capacity over the next 18 months"
"Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. And now, we must come together to end this war successfully."
"Second, we will work with our partners, the UN, and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy"
"This effort must be based on performance. The days of providing a blank check are over"
"I want the Afghan people to understand – America seeks an end to this era of war and suffering"
"Third… our success in Afghanistan is inextricably linked to our partnership with Pakistan"
"...the absence of a timeframe for transition would deny us any sense of urgency in working with the Afghan government..."
"...we can’t simply afford to ignore the price of these wars... the nation that I am most interested in building is our own."
"America will have to show our strength in the way that we end wars and prevent conflict -- not just how we wage wars."
"...we have forged a new beginning between America and the Muslim World... mutual interest in breaking a cycle of conflict."
"That's why we must promote our values by living them at home -- which is why I have prohibited torture and will close the prison at Guantanamo Bay... respect for the dignity of all peoples. That is who we are."
"it's easy to forget that when this war began, we were united... I refuse to accept the notion that we cannot summon that unity again."
"And the message that we send in the midst of these storms must be clear: that our cause is just, our resolve unwavering."