UPI POY 2009 - News and Features (237 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/Roger L. Wollenberg

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

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a tribute to the late television journalist Walter Cronkite on September 9, 2009 at Lincoln Center in New York City. Numerous dignitaries attended the morning memorial service for the former CBS anchorman who died in July. Obama is returning to Washington later today to deliver a major prime-time address to a joint session of Congress on health care. UPI/Spencer Platt/Pool

U.S. President Barack Obama gets a chest bump from a graduating Midshipman during the U.S. Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland on May 22, 2009. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg