President Barack Obama on Monday called the conflict in Afghanistan “a war worth fighting” in a speech designed to consolidate U.S. public support ahead of this week's critical Afghan elections. “The insurgency in Afghanistan didn't just happen overnight, and we won't defeat it overnight,” Obama told a Phoenix, Arizona audience of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the largest U.S. veterans group. “This will not be quick nor easy.” Obama told the military veterans that the United States did not choose to fight in Afghanistan but was forced to invade the country to prevent future terrorist attacks like September 11, 2001. “This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity,” the U.S. President said. “Those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again. If left unchecked, the Taliban insurgency will mean an even larger safe haven from which al Qaida would plot to kill more Americans.” “So this is not only a war worth fighting, this is fundamental to the defense of our people,” Obama stated. The president noted that his new strategy recognizes that al Qaida has moved its bases into remote areas of Pakistan and that military power alone will not win the war. Regarding Iraq, Obama reiterated his commitment to remove all combat brigades by the end of next August and to remove remaining forces from the country by the end of 2011. U.S. soldiers withdrew from cities and other urban areas in June.
