Obama lands in Afghanistan on surprise visit to US troops
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BAGRAM AIR BASE: US President Barack Obama landed in Afghanistan on Sunday for a surprise Memorial Day weekend visit with US troops to thank forces who are preparing to withdraw after nearly 13 years of war.
Spirited out of Washington aboard Air Force One Saturday night, Obama flew for more than 13 hours for the brief visit of several hours to Bagram Air Base, the main US base in Afghanistan, where he was to receive a military briefing, speak to the troops, and visit wounded soldiers in a hospital.
Obama, making his fourth trip to Afghanistan, arrived at Bagram on Sunday night local time. He brought country music star Brad Paisley with him to provide entertainment for the troops.
Obama's Afghan visit is bound to be seen by some critics as an attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of military veterans who are alarmed at allegations that government-run medical facilities in the United States did not provide timely care for veterans.
A pool of White House reporters and photographers accompanied the president under the strict condition that they not report on the trip until authorized, due to security considerations.
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Comments (18) Closed
May 25, 2014 09:27pm
WOW! After 13 years of war, we still can't officially land in Afghanistan and have to make "surprise" visits! That only proves what progress this war has made! It is hard to believe the world's most powerful nation has not been able to win the wars with the world's most weakest nations - i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan - after fighting it for more then a decade! No wonder it hesitates going into Iran or North Korea or Ukraine. I am sure the outcome would have been quite different, if the wars were fought on "principles" and not for selfish gains. America can be a world super power, if only it played a fair and just game!
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May 25, 2014 09:50pm
finally he seems willing to fulfill his promise,
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May 25, 2014 10:05pm
It is all about making memories from Washington DC to Chicago and then from Chicago to Bagram --- it is all like abc in reverse - from W to C to B and then back to America --- A. All in MEMORY FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY OF THE USA.
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May 25, 2014 10:29pm
He is just following on the foot-prints of his predecessor who did the same at the height of the invasion of Iraq.
It merits mention that George W. Bush also landed in Baghdad, Iraq in very much similar fashion and the whole world saw him on TV meeting and greeting the US Armed Forces personnel in Iraq at that time and serving dinner to them while wearing the apron of a chef.
So the million dollar question here for all academics, gurus, scholars and pundits of international relations and global business is that what is so different between the two as far as the foreign policy and foreign affairs are concerned?
I leave the answer to the educated, enlightened, enduring and excelling readers and writers of this great DAWN forum.
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May 25, 2014 10:42pm
UK or US, they always visit to meet their troops on unannounced tours. Shows how much confidence and control they have on Afghanistan and the talibans.
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May 25, 2014 10:52pm
@independentthinker Your observations and wishes and approach is as cute and simple as a primary school kid.
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May 25, 2014 10:55pm
Did someone learned any lesson out this Afghanistan adventure,it will be buried in books like the two before by British Empire and U S S R and now lets wait who makes the fourth adventure.
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May 25, 2014 11:10pm
@fazalpai
Sometimes, you need to listen to the "primary school kid" to gain some common sense! Your comment, on the other hand, except for being critical, did nothing to help the situation! Maybe, in the future, you might also consider putting your thinking cap on and at least try to make a useful contribution!
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May 25, 2014 11:22pm
Sneaking in the darkness of night he will probably leave before Rivolli shows how much the US has gained in Afghanistan after 13 Years of War and spending Trillions of Dollars while using best trained Soldiers & most advanced & sophisticated Armament. This drop scene also explains that Afghanistan is like a Colony to them because Karzai is no where to be seen.How can US call itself a "Super Power" after this shameful debacle which is 3rd in a row, Vietnam,Iraq & now Afghanistan (all against weakest Nations on Earth).
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May 25, 2014 11:41pm
President of strongest country in the W, visiting his one of the colony in night due to security reasons. But those who are living in illusion that America is leaving Afghanistan is wrong. America never leave Afghanistan. Their ten thousands troops will stay there permanently. Don't you know, US is in Japan since 70 years, in Germany 70 years and other 50 countries since last 60 to 100 years, like Panama, Philippine etc etc.
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May 26, 2014 12:00am
Dear Mr. President,
You are a man of Peace and you and Bill Clinton are admired around the world as you give PEACE a chance not resort to brute force.
Have Safe trip.
Tell the mad Jehadis & Taliban you are harming Islam more than anybody in the World.
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May 26, 2014 12:52am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Really, there is no difference between the two - because at the end of the day, they do what their masters dictate to them - i.e. the big American corporations who bankroll them and get them elected!
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May 26, 2014 02:43am
people that have never service our country and never fought in a battle will never understand rule of war. I service my country proudly as a marine during Vietnam war in 1969.
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May 26, 2014 08:46am
Dear President Obama,
Please surprise Pakistani's as well by coming by road from Afghanistan to Pakistan and help PML-N Govt to finalize deal with #TTP.
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May 26, 2014 09:14am
I'm sure he'll win the next elections now!
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May 26, 2014 02:02pm
@independentthinker you owe it to your soldiers to make sure they have jobs
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May 26, 2014 03:22pm
He would be surprised to know the host is away on vacation in India.
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May 27, 2014 12:26am
Arey uncle sam jitne paise 13 years bomb girane me kiye hai if u able to contribute 1/10 of that in infrastructure development as indians doing kuchh achaw ho jayega afgans ka
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