President Obama has announced he will send an additional 30,000 US troops to fight the war Afghanistan in what could become a defining moment of his presidency and a political gamble that may weigh heavily on his chances of a second term.The commander-in-chief unveiled his long-anticipated strategy in a prime time address to the American people from the military academy at West Point in New York state.He said: "The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 - the fastest pace possible - so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centres.
"They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan security forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans."
President Obama also leaned heavily on Nato allies and other countries to join the fight. "Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies," he said.
"We must come together to end this war successfully. For what's at stake is not simply a test of Nato credibility - what's at stake is the security of our allies, and the common security of the world."
The President told a war-weary public that he hopes to start withdrawing of troops in July 2011 - just a year before the next general election. A new Gallup poll shows only 35% of Americans now approve of Mr Obama's handling of the war, 55% disapprove.
"If I did not think that the security of the United States and the safety of the American people were at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow," Mr Obama declared.He also vowed that US military involvement in Afghanistan would not turn into another Vietnam.
Mr Obama said comparison with that conflict "depends on a false reading of history.
Reaction to the speech was swift.
Mr Obama's top general in Afghanistan, Stanley McCrystal, said: "We will work toward improved security for Afghanistan and the transfer of responsibility to Afghan security forces as rapidly as conditions allow.
"In the meantime, our Afghan partners need the support of coalition forces while we grow and develop the capacity of the Afghan army and police. That will be the main focus of our campaign in the months ahead."
Senator John McCain, who fought Obama for the presidency last year, said: "The way that you win wars is to break the enemy's will, not to announce dates that you are leaving."