Obama outlines Afghanistan war plan (34 images)

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about his decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by about 30,000 during a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on December 1, 2009. The buildup is targeted to reverse the Taliban advances in the country and to train Afghan soldiers and police. UPI/John Angelillo

West Point Cadets stand for the National Anthemfor before U.S. President Barack Obama speak about his decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by about 30,000 during a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on December 1, 2009. The buildup is targeted to reverse the Taliban advances in the country and to train Afghan soldiers and police. UPI/John Angelillo

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gen. Eric Shinseki , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen and Adm. David Petraeus (R to L) look on as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about his decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by about 30,000 during a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on December 1, 2009. The buildup is targeted to reverse the Taliban advances in the country and to train Afghan soldiers and police. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

Gen. David Petraeus (standing) chats with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gen. Eric Shinseki , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (L to to R) as they wait for U.S. President Barack Obama to speak about his decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by about 30,000 during a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on December 1, 2009. The buildup is targeted to reverse the Taliban advances in the country and to train Afghan soldiers and police. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg