Obama unveils new strategy in Afghanistan

After 3-month strategy review, US President Barack Obama has finally announced that 30,000 more US troops will be deployed to Afghanistan by next summer.

He formally unveiled his administration's new strategy in Afghanistan in a prime time nationally-televised speech at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Reinforcing US troops in Afghanistan seemed certain. But the big question was to what extent and how soon. Obama gave his firm answer.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "As commander in chief, I have determined that it's in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan."

The troop surge is based on a conviction that the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating. The Taliban remnants have established safe havens in areas bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the lack of troops slows efforts to train Afghan security forces to defend their country and people on their own.

The new plan means major US troop movements are likely to begin in January. All 30,000 troops should be in place by the end of August. The accelerated pace has surprised even some Pentagon officials.

The vanguard is expected to be the swift deployment of 9,000 Marines into some of the most areas. This means the Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan, including Kandahar and Helmand.

Obama also called on all US allies, especially the NATO forces, to offer their firm support to bring the mission in Afghanistan to a success.