President Obama has defined America's goals in Afghanistan as denying Al Qaeda a safe haven, reversing the Taliban's momentum, and helping the country's security forces and government "take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future." To this end, Obama launched an 18-month military "surge" with the backing of other NATO member countries, to be followed by the beginning of withdrawal.
美国总统奥巴马将美国在阿富汗的目标设定为：击垮基地组织老巢，阻击塔利班和帮助阿国建立安全部队及有效政府，以 “担负起阿富汗未来的领导责任。”为此，在北约盟友的协助下，奥巴马展开了在正式撤军之前为期 18 个月的军事行动。