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FILE PHOTO: HARRIS/EXAMINER
President Barack Obama will address the American people tonight at 8 p.m. on the future of the United States's role in Afghanistan from the United States Military Academy at West Point in upstate New York.
Obama will speak about the ultimate goal of ridding Afghanistan of the Taliban and Al Aaeda. White House officials confirm the president's announcement of a 30,000 troop surge over the next year that will include a defined period of time. As one senior official put it: "This is not open ended."
A senior White House official said that the Pentagon had not yet determined how many of those 30,000 troops would have combat roles versus how many would have training roles. The official did however say that the President will direct all U.S. forces in Afghanistan to work with the Afghan people so "they all to some degree or another have a training role."
Perhaps most significant, the president will state a specific date for the beginning of the transfer of power to the people of Afghanistan, thereby allowing the United States to begin transferring military forces out of Afghanistan starting in July of 2011. Administration officials emphasized that there is no defined end period for this process and an exit will depend on circumstances on the ground.
Obama did speak with Afghan president Hamid Karzai for nearly an hour Monday night to discuss objectives in Afghanistan. The White House would not say whether or not Obama discussed the content of Tuesday's speech with Karzai.
Following Obama's address, which is scheduled to last about 40 minutes, Obama will sign the Military Academy guest book, then return to The White House.
Examiner.com will bring you comprehensive coverage of tonight's address and will post a full transcript following the President's remarks.
UPDATE: NY Government Examiner coverage of the President's Afghanistan address
UPDATE: Full Examiner coverage on Obama's Afghanistan address
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