President Obama announced last night that he will withdraw his entire 30,000 troop surge from 2009, bringing home 10,000 troops from Afghanistan this year, and an additional 20,000 troops by the end of next summer.
The plan is a much more aggressive withdrawal than recommended by the Gen. David Petraeus and other Pentagon officials, who recommended one more fighting season against the Taliban to maintain the recent gains American troops have made.
Check out a video of his speech after the break, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Obama will keep around 70,000 troops on the ground in Afghanistan once his surge troops are brought home, which places him in a pragmatic position to pacify his anti-war supporters without appearing too rash, even in the face of Pentagon criticism.
How do you think Republicans will respond, especially with their disdain for Obama's actions in Libya? What are your thoughts on the plan for troop withdrawal?
