Obama on Afghanistan

WEST POINT, N.Y., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama has been outlining his plans for Afghanistan to world leaders ahead of a speech to the American public on the subject.

Obama has agreed to send about 34,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan to help in the fighting against militants -- mostly aligned with the Taliban -- as efforts to stabilize the country and keep it from becoming a haven for anti-American extremists continue.

The increase is about 15 percent smaller than the number requested by U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal several months ago but the difference could be made up by additional troops from NATO allies and countries such as Australia. The Afghan policy will likely top the agenda at NATO foreign ministers meetings set for Thursday and Friday.

After the increase the United States will have about 100,000 troops deployed to Afghanistan.

While the number of troops is the nugget most will seek from Obama's speech, the president is expected to say how he plans to pay for the fighting and lay out an exit policy. His spokesman said Monday the United States isn't making an "open-ended commitment" to stay in Afghanistan.

Obama heads to New York to give the talk at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.