President Obama's meeting yesterday with the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan demonstrated once again the administration's commitment to defeat al-Qaida and to support our allies in this effort. None of us should have any illusions about the tough fight we're engaged in and we should never forget about the brave men and women of our armed forces who are sacrificing so much to answer the president's call.
As we all know, President Obama recently ordered 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to turn the balance against the resurgent al-Qaida and Taliban forces. There's been a lot of bloodshed recently on both sides of the border as the Taliban has successfully gained control over increasing areas of both countries. While we were distracted with the Bush diversion into Iraq, al-Qaida and Taliban regrouped and grew in strength, ultimately threatening to take over both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Unlike Bush and his blinded neocon advisors, President Obama has had his eye squarely on the threat that most endangers our security. It's unfortunately true that his options are currently limited because of our commitment in Iraq, but he's doing all that can be done within those limits to stabilize the situation by rushing additional forces to Afghanistan and pressuring our European allies to do the same (so far to only minor success).
While the short-term prospects are dark, mainly because of our need to keep so many troops in Iraq for the next year or so, there's hope on the horizon. The 21,000 additional American troops, that will be mainly deployed in the Taliban's stronghold of southern Afghanistan, should help to improve the security situation, particularly as we continue to train the expanding Afghan forces. And, as we accelerate our withdrawal from Iraq, the president will have more resources to bring to the fight. No doubt the extent of Pakistan's willingness and ability to take on the fight is a critical element to our ultimate success. But, hopefully, our increasing support to the Pakistan government combined with an improved security situation in Afghanistan will help to strengthen the backbone of the Pakistan elected leaders. Time will tell whether this hope is a realistic one.
Regardless of all the difficulties we face, many of which are out of our control, the one critical asset we possess and the reason for my optimism is the rock solid commitment of President Obama to our success. History has shown us time and again that this is the indispensible element to our winning a tough fight. From Lincoln to FDR to Truman, we've seen that a president armed with an iron will and an laser focus can make the difference between victory and defeat. In President Obama, we have another leader in this mold. Yesterday's meeting with the Afghan and Pakistan leaders demonstrated this once again.
The President first reminded us of what is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan:
The security of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United States are linked. . . Al Qaeda and its allies have taken more lives in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and have continued to challenge the democratically-elected governments of the two Presidents standing here today. Meanwhile, al Qaeda plots against the American people -- and people around the world -- from their safe haven along the border.
Then President Obama discussed our basic strategy which combines both a military and an economic side:
Along the border where insurgents often move freely, we must work together with a renewed sense of partnership to share intelligence, and to coordinate our efforts to isolate, target and take out our common enemy. But we must also meet the threat of extremism with a positive program of growth and opportunity. And that's why my administration is working with members of Congress to create opportunity zones to spark development. . . .
I have long said that we cannot meet these challenges in isolation, nor delay the action, nor deny the resources necessary to get the job done. And that's why we have a comprehensive strategy for the region with civilian and military components, led by Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and General David Petraeus. And for the first time, this strategy will be matched by the resources that it demands.
In discussing the military aspect of his strategy, the president again explained his reasons for ordering more American forces to Afghanistan:
U.S. troops are serving courageously and capably in a vital mission in Afghanistan alongside our Afghan and international partners. But to combat an enemy that is on the offensive, we need more troops, training, and assistance. And that's why we are deploying 21,000 troops to Afghanistan and increasing our efforts to train Afghan security forces -- and I'm also pleased that our NATO allies and partners are providing resources to support our strategy. And that is why we are helping Pakistan combat the insurgency within its borders -- including $400 million in immediate assistance that we are seeking from Congress, which will help the government as it steps up its efforts against the extremists.
Finally, President Obama spoke of his long-term commitment to winning the war and warned of the need for patience as the new strategy is implemented:
The road ahead will be difficult. There will be more violence, and there will be setbacks. But let me be clear: The United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al Qaeda, but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. That commitment will not waiver. And that support will be sustained.
Every day, we see evidence of the future that al Qaeda and its allies offer. It's a future filled with violence and despair. It's a future without opportunity or hope. That's not what the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan want, and it's not what they deserve. The United States has a stake in the future of these two countries. We have learned, time and again, that our security is shared. It is a lesson that we learned most painfully on 9/11, and it is a lesson that we will not forget.
So we are here today in the midst of a great challenge. But no matter what happens, we will not be deterred. The aspirations of all our people -- for security, for opportunity and for justice -- are far more powerful than any enemy. Those are the hopes that we hold in common for all of our children. So we will sustain our cooperation. And we will work for the day when our nations are linked not by a common enemy, but by a shared peace and prosperity, mutual interests and mutual respect, not only among governments but among our people.
Yesterday, the president was calling for our support. Vice President Biden once famously (or infamously) stated that our enemies would look to test the president and that we needed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him and our country when that moment came. This is such a moment of testing. Let's show the president and our men and women serving in Afghanistan that we're united in support of the president's goals.