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The President:
Vice President Pence,
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Secretary
of State Tillerson,
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members of the Cabinet,
General Dunford,
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Deputy Secretary
Shanahan,
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and Colonel Duggan.
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Most especially,
thank you to the men
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and women of Fort Myer
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and every member
of the United States
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military at home
and abroad.
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We send our thoughts
and prayers
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to the families
of our brave sailors
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who were injured and lost
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after a tragic
collision at sea,
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as well as
to those conducting
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the search
and recovery efforts.
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I am here tonight to lay
out our path forward
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in Afghanistan
and South Asia.
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But before I provide
the details
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of our new strategy,
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I want to say a few words
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to the servicemembers
here with us tonight,
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to those watching
from their posts,
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and to all Americans
listening at home.
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Since the founding
of our republic,
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our country has produced
a special class of heroes
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whose selflessness,
courage,
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and resolve is unmatched
in human history.
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American patriots from
every generation
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have given their last
breath on the battlefield
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for our nation
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and for our freedom.
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Through their lives --
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and though their lives
were cut short,
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in their deeds
they achieved
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total immortality.
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By following the heroic
example of those
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who fought to preserve
our republic,
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we can find
the inspiration
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our country needs
to unify, to heal,
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and to remain
one nation under God.
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The men and women
of our military operate
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as one team,
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with one shared mission,
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and one shared
sense of purpose.
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They transcend
every line of race,
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ethnicity, creed,
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and color
to serve together --
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and sacrifice together --
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in absolutely
perfect cohesion.
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That is because
all servicemembers
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are brothers and sisters.
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They're all part
of the same family;
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it's called
the American family.
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They take the same oath,
fight for the same flag,
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and live according
to the same law.
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They are bound together
by common purpose,
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mutual trust,
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and selfless devotion
to our nation
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and to each other.
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The soldier understands
what we, as a nation,
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too often forget
that a wound
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inflicted upon a single
member of our community
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is a wound
inflicted upon us all.
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When one part of America
hurts, we all hurt.
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And when one citizen
suffers an injustice,
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we all suffer together.
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Loyalty to our nation
demands loyalty
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to one another.
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Love for America
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requires love
for all of its people.
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When we open our hearts
to patriotism,
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there is no room
for prejudice,
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no place for bigotry,
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and no tolerance
for hate.
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The young men and women
we send to fight our wars abroad
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deserve to return
to a country
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that is not at war
with itself at home.
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We cannot remain a force
for peace in the world
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if we are not at peace
with each other.
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As we send our bravest
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to defeat our enemies
overseas --
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and we will always win --
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let us find the courage
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to heal
our divisions within.
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Let us make a simple
promise to the men
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and women we ask to fight
in our name that,
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when they return home
from battle,
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they will find a country
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that has renewed
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the sacred bonds
of love and loyalty
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that unite us
together as one.
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Thanks to the vigilance
and skill
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of the American military
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and of our many allies
throughout the world,
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horrors on the scale
of September 11th --
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and nobody
can ever forget that --
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have not been repeated
on our shores.
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But we must also
acknowledge
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the reality I am here
to talk about tonight:
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that nearly 16 years
after September 11th attacks,
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after the extraordinary
sacrifice of blood and treasure,
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the American people
are weary of war
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without victory.
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Nowhere is
this more evident
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than with the war
in Afghanistan,
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the longest war
in American history --
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17 years.
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I share the American
people s frustration.
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I also share
their frustration
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over a foreign policy
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that has spent too
much time, energy, money,
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and most
importantly lives,
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trying to
rebuild countries
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in our own image,
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instead of pursuing
our security interests
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above all other
considerations.
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That is why, shortly
after my inauguration,
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I directed Secretary
of Defense Mattis
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and my national
security team
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to undertake
a comprehensive review
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of all strategic options
in Afghanistan
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and South Asia.
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My original instinct
was to pull out --
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and, historically, I like
following my instincts.
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But all my life
I've heard
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that decisions
are much different
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when you sit behind the
desk in the Oval Office;
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in other words,
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when you're President
of the United States.
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So I studied Afghanistan
in great detail
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and from every
conceivable angle.
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After many meetings,
over many months,
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we held our final
meeting last Friday
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at Camp David,
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with my Cabinet
and generals,
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to complete our strategy.
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I arrived at three
fundamental conclusions
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about America s core
interests in Afghanistan.
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First, our nation
must seek an honorable
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and enduring outcome
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worthy of the
tremendous sacrifices
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that have been made,
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especially
the sacrifices of lives.
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The men and women
who serve our nation
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in combat deserve
a plan for victory.
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They deserve
the tools they need,
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and the trust
they have earned,
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to fight and to win.
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Second, the consequences
of a rapid exit
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are both predictable
and unacceptable.
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9/11, the worst terrorist
attack in our history,
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was planned and directed
from Afghanistan
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because that country
was ruled by a government
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that gave comfort and
shelter to terrorists.
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A hasty withdrawal
would create a vacuum
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that terrorists,
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including ISIS
and al Qaeda,
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would instantly fill,
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just as happened
before September 11th.
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And, as we know, in 2011,
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America hastily
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and mistakenly
withdrew from Iraq.
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As a result, our hard-won
gains slipped back
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into the hands
of terrorist enemies.
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Our soldiers
watched as cities
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they had fought for,
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and bled to liberate,
and won, were occupied
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by a terrorist
group called ISIS.
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The vacuum we created
by leaving too soon
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gave safe haven
for ISIS to spread,
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to grow, recruit,
and launch attacks.
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We cannot repeat in
Afghanistan the mistake
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our leaders made in Iraq.
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Third and finally,
I concluded
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that the security threats
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we face in Afghanistan
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and the broader region
are immense.
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Today, 20 U.S.-designated
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foreign terrorist
organizations
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are active in Afghanistan
and Pakistan --
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the highest concentration
in any region
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anywhere in the world.
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For its part,
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Pakistan often gives safe
haven to agents of chaos,
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violence, and terror.
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The threat is worse
because
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Pakistan and India
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are two nuclear-armed
states
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whose tense relations
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threaten to spiral
into conflict.
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And that could happen.
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No one denies that
we have inherited
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a challenging
and troubling situation
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in Afghanistan
and South Asia,
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but we do not
have the luxury
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of going back in time
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and making different
or better decisions.
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When I became President,
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I was given a bad
and very complex hand,
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but I fully knew
what I was getting into:
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big and intricate
problems.
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But, one way or another,
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these problems
will be solved --
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I'm a problem solver --
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and, in the end,
we will win.
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We must address
the reality of the world
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as it exists right now --
the threats we face,
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and the confronting
of all of the problems
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of today,
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and extremely
predictable consequences
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of a hasty withdrawal.
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We need look no further
than last week's vile,
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vicious attack in
Barcelona to understand
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that terror groups will
stop at nothing to commit
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the mass murder
of innocent men,
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women and children.
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You saw it for yourself.
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Horrible.
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As I outlined
in my speech
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in Saudi Arabia
three months ago,
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America and our partners
are committed
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to stripping terrorists
of their territory,
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cutting off
their funding,
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and exposing
the false allure
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of their evil ideology.
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Terrorists who slaughter
innocent people
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will find no glory
in this life or the next.
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They are nothing
but thugs,
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and criminals,
and predators,
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and -- that's right --
losers.
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Working alongside
our allies,
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we will break their will,
dry up their recruitment,
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keep them from
crossing our borders,
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and yes, we will
defeat them,
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and we will defeat
them handily.
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In Afghanistan
and Pakistan,
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America's interests
are clear:
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We must stop the
resurgence of safe havens
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that enable terrorists
to threaten America,
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and we must prevent
nuclear weapons and materials
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from coming into
the hands of terrorists
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and being used
against us,
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or anywhere in the world
for that matter.
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But to prosecute
this war,
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we will learn
from history.
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As a result of our
comprehensive review,
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American strategy
in Afghanistan
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and South Asia
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will change dramatically
in the following ways:
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A core pillar of
our new strategy
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is a shift from
a time-based approach
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to one based
on conditions.
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I've said it many times
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how counterproductive
it is
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for the United States
to announce in advance
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the dates
we intend to begin,
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or end, military options.
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We will not talk about
numbers of troops
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or our plans for further
military activities.
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Conditions
on the ground --
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not arbitrary
timetables --
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will guide our strategy
from now on.
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America's enemies must
never know our plans
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or believe they can
wait us out.
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I will not say when
we are going to attack,
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but attack we will.
267
00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:43,590
Another fundamental
pillar
268
00:13:43,589 --> 00:13:45,289
of our new strategy
269
00:13:45,291 --> 00:13:47,791
is the integration
of all instruments
270
00:13:47,793 --> 00:13:49,633
of American power --
271
00:13:49,628 --> 00:13:53,168
diplomatic, economic,
and military --
272
00:13:53,165 --> 00:13:55,205
toward a successful
outcome.
273
00:13:56,302 --> 00:13:58,402
Someday,
after an effective
274
00:13:58,404 --> 00:14:00,044
military effort,
275
00:14:00,039 --> 00:14:01,639
perhaps it
will be possible
276
00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:03,110
to have
a political settlement
277
00:14:03,108 --> 00:14:04,478
that includes elements
278
00:14:04,476 --> 00:14:06,276
of the Taliban
in Afghanistan,
279
00:14:07,379 --> 00:14:10,019
but nobody knows
if or when
280
00:14:10,649 --> 00:14:12,849
that will ever happen.
281
00:14:12,851 --> 00:14:15,391
America will continue
its support
282
00:14:15,387 --> 00:14:16,727
for the Afghan government
283
00:14:17,423 --> 00:14:19,323
and the Afghan military
284
00:14:19,325 --> 00:14:20,965
as they confront
the Taliban
285
00:14:22,127 --> 00:14:23,897
in the field.
286
00:14:23,896 --> 00:14:26,596
Ultimately, it is up to
the people of Afghanistan
287
00:14:26,599 --> 00:14:28,299
to take ownership
of their future,
288
00:14:28,867 --> 00:14:31,207
to govern their society,
289
00:14:31,203 --> 00:14:35,443
and to achieve
an everlasting peace.
290
00:14:35,441 --> 00:14:37,081
We are a partner
and a friend,
291
00:14:37,076 --> 00:14:40,176
but we will not dictate
to the Afghan people
292
00:14:40,179 --> 00:14:41,449
how to live,
293
00:14:41,447 --> 00:14:44,387
or how to govern their
own complex society.
294
00:14:45,084 --> 00:14:47,984
We are not
nation-building again.
295
00:14:48,687 --> 00:14:50,787
We are killing
terrorists.
296
00:14:51,457 --> 00:14:54,457
The next pillar of
our new strategy
297
00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:57,430
is to change the approach
298
00:14:57,429 --> 00:15:00,799
and how to deal
with Pakistan.
299
00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:03,407
We can no longer
be silent about
300
00:15:03,402 --> 00:15:04,972
Pakistan's safe havens
301
00:15:04,970 --> 00:15:07,010
for terrorist
organizations,
302
00:15:07,006 --> 00:15:09,176
the Taliban,
and other groups
303
00:15:09,174 --> 00:15:12,444
that pose a threat
to the region and beyond.
304
00:15:13,379 --> 00:15:15,249
Pakistan has much to gain
305
00:15:15,247 --> 00:15:16,687
from partnering
306
00:15:16,682 --> 00:15:18,722
with our effort
in Afghanistan.
307
00:15:19,685 --> 00:15:22,425
It has much to lose
by continuing
308
00:15:22,421 --> 00:15:26,021
to harbor criminals
and terrorists.
309
00:15:26,025 --> 00:15:29,825
In the past, Pakistan has
been a valued partner.
310
00:15:30,529 --> 00:15:32,269
Our militaries have
worked together
311
00:15:32,264 --> 00:15:34,034
against common enemies.
312
00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:37,700
The Pakistani people
have suffered greatly
313
00:15:37,703 --> 00:15:39,543
from terrorism
and extremism.
314
00:15:40,272 --> 00:15:43,342
We recognize
those contributions
315
00:15:43,342 --> 00:15:44,712
and those sacrifices.
316
00:15:45,444 --> 00:15:48,114
But Pakistan has also
sheltered the same
317
00:15:48,113 --> 00:15:49,653
organizations
318
00:15:49,648 --> 00:15:53,748
that try every single day
to kill our people.
319
00:15:54,753 --> 00:15:58,223
We have been paying
Pakistan billions
320
00:15:58,223 --> 00:16:01,963
and billions of dollars
at the same time
321
00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,630
they are housing
the very terrorists
322
00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:06,400
that we are fighting.
323
00:16:06,398 --> 00:16:09,168
But that will
have to change,
324
00:16:09,168 --> 00:16:11,708
and that will change
immediately.
325
00:16:11,704 --> 00:16:14,074
No partnership
can survive a country's
326
00:16:14,073 --> 00:16:15,573
harboring of militants
327
00:16:15,574 --> 00:16:16,974
and terrorists who target
328
00:16:16,975 --> 00:16:19,075
U.S. servicemembers
and officials.
329
00:16:19,745 --> 00:16:21,285
It is time for Pakistan
330
00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,120
to demonstrate
its commitment
331
00:16:23,716 --> 00:16:26,916
to civilization,
order, and to peace.
332
00:16:27,820 --> 00:16:30,360
Another critical part
of the South Asia
333
00:16:30,356 --> 00:16:31,726
strategy for America
334
00:16:32,324 --> 00:16:33,794
is to further develop
335
00:16:33,792 --> 00:16:36,332
its strategic partnership
with India --
336
00:16:36,895 --> 00:16:39,165
the world's
largest democracy
337
00:16:39,164 --> 00:16:40,634
and a key security
338
00:16:40,632 --> 00:16:43,202
and economic partner
of the United States.
339
00:16:43,969 --> 00:16:47,009
We appreciate India's
important contributions
340
00:16:47,005 --> 00:16:48,775
to stability
in Afghanistan,
341
00:16:49,441 --> 00:16:52,341
but India makes
billions of dollars
342
00:16:52,344 --> 00:16:54,684
in trade with
the United States,
343
00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,180
and we want them to help
us more with Afghanistan,
344
00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:00,354
especially in the area
345
00:17:00,352 --> 00:17:02,152
of economic assistance
346
00:17:02,721 --> 00:17:04,391
and development.
347
00:17:04,390 --> 00:17:05,720
We are committed
to pursuing
348
00:17:05,724 --> 00:17:07,364
our shared objectives
349
00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,499
for peace and security
in South Asia
350
00:17:10,162 --> 00:17:13,962
and the broader
Indo-Pacific region.
351
00:17:13,966 --> 00:17:15,506
Finally,
my administration
352
00:17:15,501 --> 00:17:17,601
will ensure that you,
353
00:17:17,603 --> 00:17:20,503
the brave defenders
of the American people,
354
00:17:21,273 --> 00:17:23,213
will have
the necessary tools
355
00:17:23,208 --> 00:17:24,608
and rules of engagement
356
00:17:24,610 --> 00:17:26,350
to make
this strategy work,
357
00:17:26,345 --> 00:17:28,945
and work effectively
and work quickly.
358
00:17:29,948 --> 00:17:31,788
I have already lifted
restrictions
359
00:17:31,784 --> 00:17:33,284
the previous
administration
360
00:17:33,285 --> 00:17:36,055
placed on our warfighters
361
00:17:36,054 --> 00:17:38,694
that prevented
the Secretary of Defense
362
00:17:38,690 --> 00:17:41,360
and our commanders
in the field from fully
363
00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:45,360
and swiftly waging battle
against the enemy.
364
00:17:46,064 --> 00:17:48,634
Micromanagement
from Washington, D.C.
365
00:17:48,634 --> 00:17:50,734
does not win battles.
366
00:17:51,537 --> 00:17:54,777
They are won in the field
drawing upon the judgment
367
00:17:54,773 --> 00:17:58,043
and expertise
of wartime commanders
368
00:17:58,677 --> 00:18:01,047
and frontline soldiers
369
00:18:01,046 --> 00:18:04,386
acting in real time,
with real authority,
370
00:18:04,383 --> 00:18:08,283
and with a clear mission
to defeat the enemy.
371
00:18:09,888 --> 00:18:12,288
That's why we will also
expand authority
372
00:18:12,791 --> 00:18:14,661
for American armed forces
373
00:18:14,660 --> 00:18:17,730
to target the terrorist
and criminal networks
374
00:18:17,729 --> 00:18:18,999
that sow violence
375
00:18:18,997 --> 00:18:21,437
and chaos throughout
Afghanistan.
376
00:18:22,167 --> 00:18:23,467
These killers
need to know
377
00:18:24,136 --> 00:18:25,906
they have nowhere
to hide;
378
00:18:25,904 --> 00:18:29,444
that no place is beyond
the reach of American
379
00:18:29,441 --> 00:18:31,211
might and Americans arms.
380
00:18:31,910 --> 00:18:36,150
Retribution will be
fast and powerful.
381
00:18:36,148 --> 00:18:37,788
As we lift restrictions
382
00:18:37,783 --> 00:18:39,723
and expand authorities
in the field,
383
00:18:40,319 --> 00:18:42,789
we are already seeing
dramatic results
384
00:18:42,788 --> 00:18:44,528
in the campaign
to defeat ISIS,
385
00:18:45,157 --> 00:18:48,497
including the liberation
of Mosul in Iraq.
386
00:18:49,461 --> 00:18:50,701
Since my inauguration,
387
00:18:50,696 --> 00:18:53,136
we have achieved
record-breaking
388
00:18:53,131 --> 00:18:55,031
success in that regard.
389
00:18:55,934 --> 00:18:58,334
We will also
maximize sanctions
390
00:18:58,337 --> 00:19:01,377
and other financial and
law enforcement actions
391
00:19:01,373 --> 00:19:02,873
against these networks
392
00:19:02,875 --> 00:19:06,645
to eliminate their
ability to export terror.
393
00:19:07,646 --> 00:19:09,946
When America commits
its warriors to battle,
394
00:19:10,682 --> 00:19:13,652
we must ensure they have
every weapon to apply
395
00:19:13,652 --> 00:19:15,652
swift, decisive,
396
00:19:15,654 --> 00:19:17,854
and overwhelming force.
397
00:19:18,457 --> 00:19:20,997
Our troops
will fight to win.
398
00:19:21,927 --> 00:19:24,167
We will fight to win.
399
00:19:24,997 --> 00:19:28,397
From now on, victory will
have a clear definition:
400
00:19:29,134 --> 00:19:32,674
attacking our enemies,
obliterating ISIS,
401
00:19:32,671 --> 00:19:34,311
crushing al Qaeda,
402
00:19:34,306 --> 00:19:35,676
preventing the Taliban
403
00:19:35,674 --> 00:19:38,014
from taking
over Afghanistan,
404
00:19:38,010 --> 00:19:41,150
and stopping mass terror
attacks against America
405
00:19:41,813 --> 00:19:43,813
before they emerge.
406
00:19:43,815 --> 00:19:45,485
We will ask
our NATO allies
407
00:19:45,484 --> 00:19:46,514
and global partners
408
00:19:46,518 --> 00:19:48,058
to support
our new strategy
409
00:19:48,754 --> 00:19:49,984
with additional troop
410
00:19:49,988 --> 00:19:52,658
and funding increases
in line with our own.
411
00:19:53,525 --> 00:19:55,925
We are confident
they will.
412
00:19:55,928 --> 00:19:58,028
Since taking office,
I have made clear
413
00:19:58,030 --> 00:19:59,530
that our allies
and partners
414
00:19:59,531 --> 00:20:02,431
must contribute
much more money
415
00:20:03,001 --> 00:20:05,441
to our collective
defense,
416
00:20:06,204 --> 00:20:08,074
and they have done so.
417
00:20:09,775 --> 00:20:11,315
In this struggle,
418
00:20:11,310 --> 00:20:13,650
the heaviest burden
will continue to be borne
419
00:20:14,413 --> 00:20:16,413
by the good people
of Afghanistan
420
00:20:16,415 --> 00:20:18,715
and their courageous
armed forces.
421
00:20:19,418 --> 00:20:22,718
As the prime minister of
Afghanistan has promised,
422
00:20:23,221 --> 00:20:25,491
we are going
to participate
423
00:20:25,490 --> 00:20:27,090
in economic development
424
00:20:27,626 --> 00:20:31,826
to help defray the cost
of this war to us.
425
00:20:32,898 --> 00:20:34,998
Afghanistan is
fighting to defend
426
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,100
and secure their country
427
00:20:36,101 --> 00:20:38,601
against the same enemies
who threaten us.
428
00:20:39,137 --> 00:20:42,877
The stronger the Afghan
security forces become,
429
00:20:42,874 --> 00:20:44,944
the less we will
have to do.
430
00:20:45,911 --> 00:20:48,911
Afghans will secure and
build their own nation
431
00:20:49,581 --> 00:20:51,551
and define
their own future.
432
00:20:52,284 --> 00:20:54,224
We want them to succeed.
433
00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:57,927
But we will no longer use
American military
434
00:20:57,923 --> 00:20:59,993
might to construct
democracies
435
00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:01,362
in faraway lands,
436
00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:03,400
or try to rebuild
other countries
437
00:21:03,395 --> 00:21:04,835
in our own image.
438
00:21:04,830 --> 00:21:07,030
Those days are now over.
439
00:21:07,766 --> 00:21:10,206
Instead, we will work
with allies and partners
440
00:21:10,202 --> 00:21:12,202
to protect our
shared interests.
441
00:21:12,738 --> 00:21:14,008
We are not asking others
442
00:21:14,006 --> 00:21:16,076
to change
their way of life,
443
00:21:16,074 --> 00:21:17,574
but to pursue
common goals
444
00:21:17,576 --> 00:21:19,046
that allow our children
445
00:21:19,044 --> 00:21:21,744
to live better
and safer lives.
446
00:21:22,481 --> 00:21:24,121
This principled realism
447
00:21:24,650 --> 00:21:26,850
will guide our decisions
moving forward.
448
00:21:27,552 --> 00:21:30,122
Military power alone
will not bring peace
449
00:21:30,122 --> 00:21:31,192
to Afghanistan
450
00:21:31,189 --> 00:21:32,759
or stop
the terrorist threat
451
00:21:33,325 --> 00:21:34,695
arising in that country.
452
00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:37,330
But strategically
applied force
453
00:21:37,329 --> 00:21:39,229
aims to create
the conditions
454
00:21:39,231 --> 00:21:40,671
for a political process
455
00:21:41,333 --> 00:21:43,933
to achieve
a lasting peace.
456
00:21:44,603 --> 00:21:48,203
America will work with
the Afghan government
457
00:21:48,206 --> 00:21:51,306
as long as
we see determination
458
00:21:51,910 --> 00:21:53,310
and progress.
459
00:21:53,311 --> 00:21:56,411
However, our commitment
is not unlimited,
460
00:21:56,948 --> 00:22:00,418
and our support
is not a blank check.
461
00:22:01,687 --> 00:22:03,587
The government
of Afghanistan
462
00:22:03,588 --> 00:22:05,128
must carry their share
463
00:22:06,224 --> 00:22:07,524
of the military,
464
00:22:07,526 --> 00:22:10,266
political,
and economic burden.
465
00:22:11,029 --> 00:22:12,899
The American people
expect to see
466
00:22:12,898 --> 00:22:14,228
real reforms,
467
00:22:14,232 --> 00:22:17,002
real progress,
and real results.
468
00:22:17,636 --> 00:22:20,876
Our patience
is not unlimited.
469
00:22:21,406 --> 00:22:23,406
We will keep
our eyes wide open.
470
00:22:24,076 --> 00:22:27,216
In abiding by the oath
I took on January 20th,
471
00:22:27,879 --> 00:22:31,279
I will remain steadfast
in protecting American lives
472
00:22:31,283 --> 00:22:34,283
and American interests.
473
00:22:34,286 --> 00:22:38,086
In this effort,
we will make common cause
474
00:22:38,090 --> 00:22:39,590
with any nation
475
00:22:39,591 --> 00:22:42,331
that chooses to stand
and fight alongside us
476
00:22:42,327 --> 00:22:44,597
against this
global threat.
477
00:22:45,297 --> 00:22:48,737
Terrorists take heed:
America will never let up
478
00:22:49,468 --> 00:22:52,668
until you are dealt
a lasting defeat.
479
00:22:53,405 --> 00:22:56,805
Under my administration,
many billions of dollars
480
00:22:56,808 --> 00:22:59,148
more is being spent
on our military.
481
00:22:59,911 --> 00:23:02,581
And this includes
vast amounts being spent
482
00:23:02,581 --> 00:23:05,721
on our nuclear arsenal
and missile defense.
483
00:23:06,351 --> 00:23:09,051
In every generation,
we have faced down evil,
484
00:23:09,955 --> 00:23:12,495
and we have
always prevailed.
485
00:23:13,558 --> 00:23:16,828
We prevailed because
we know who we are
486
00:23:17,662 --> 00:23:19,132
and what we are
fighting for.
487
00:23:19,898 --> 00:23:22,338
Not far from where we are
gathered tonight,
488
00:23:22,334 --> 00:23:23,604
hundreds of thousands
489
00:23:23,602 --> 00:23:25,342
of America's
greatest patriots
490
00:23:25,971 --> 00:23:28,041
lay in eternal rest
491
00:23:28,039 --> 00:23:31,809
at Arlington
National Cemetery.
492
00:23:32,978 --> 00:23:35,918
There is more courage,
sacrifice,
493
00:23:35,914 --> 00:23:38,914
and love in those
hallowed grounds
494
00:23:39,518 --> 00:23:43,318
than in any other spot
on the face of the Earth.
495
00:23:44,156 --> 00:23:46,326
Many of those who have
fought and died
496
00:23:46,324 --> 00:23:49,364
in Afghanistan
enlisted in the months
497
00:23:49,361 --> 00:23:52,661
after September
11th, 2001.
498
00:23:53,331 --> 00:23:55,501
They volunteered
for a simple reason:
499
00:23:56,168 --> 00:23:57,838
They loved America,
500
00:23:57,836 --> 00:24:00,136
and they were determined
to protect her.
501
00:24:01,106 --> 00:24:02,806
Now we must secure
the cause
502
00:24:02,808 --> 00:24:05,078
for which they
gave their lives.
503
00:24:05,844 --> 00:24:08,484
We must unite
to defend America
504
00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:10,020
from its enemies abroad.
505
00:24:10,715 --> 00:24:13,885
We must restore
the bonds of loyalty
506
00:24:13,885 --> 00:24:16,185
among our citizens
at home,
507
00:24:16,855 --> 00:24:19,625
and we must achieve
an honorable
508
00:24:19,624 --> 00:24:21,694
and enduring outcome
509
00:24:21,693 --> 00:24:24,133
worthy of
the enormous price
510
00:24:24,129 --> 00:24:25,499
that so many have paid.
511
00:24:26,531 --> 00:24:29,031
Our actions, and in
the months to come,
512
00:24:29,868 --> 00:24:31,608
all of them will honor
513
00:24:31,603 --> 00:24:32,803
the sacrifice
514
00:24:32,804 --> 00:24:34,544
of every fallen hero,
515
00:24:35,140 --> 00:24:37,280
every family
who lost a loved one,
516
00:24:37,843 --> 00:24:40,783
and every wounded warrior
who shed their blood
517
00:24:40,779 --> 00:24:43,879
in defense of
our great nation.
518
00:24:44,983 --> 00:24:49,153
With our resolve, we will
ensure that your service
519
00:24:49,754 --> 00:24:51,354
and that your families
520
00:24:51,356 --> 00:24:54,226
will bring about
the defeat of our enemies
521
00:24:54,759 --> 00:24:57,129
and the arrival of peace.
522
00:24:57,729 --> 00:25:00,629
We will push onward
to victory with power
523
00:25:00,632 --> 00:25:01,972
in our hearts,
524
00:25:01,967 --> 00:25:03,707
courage in our souls,
525
00:25:03,702 --> 00:25:06,642
and everlasting pride
in each
526
00:25:06,638 --> 00:25:08,638
and every one of you.
527
00:25:09,140 --> 00:25:13,450
Thank you. May God bless
our military.
528
00:25:14,246 --> 00:25:18,846
And may God bless the
United States of America.
529
00:25:18,850 --> 00:25:20,390
Thank you very much,
thank you.