Afghanistan

Remarks by the President at ISAF Meeting on Afghanistan

The President: Well, good morning, everyone. And for those who are joining us for the first time, welcome to Chicago. I was just hearing from a few folks who are not NATO members that they had fun on the town last night. Hopefully, no stories in the press. (Laughter.)
Fact Sheet: Chicago Summit - NATO's Enduring Presence after 2014

At the 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed to an enduring partnership between NATO and Afghanistan that would last beyond the transition of full security responsibility for Afghanistan from ISAF to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.
Fact Sheet: Chicago Summit - Afghanistan Transition Interim Milestone

At the 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon, the United States, our NATO Allies, ISAF partners, and the Government of Afghanistan agreed to transfer responsibility for securing Afghanistan from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in a transition process that would begin in 2011 and be completed by the end of 2014.
Fact Sheet: Chicago Summit - Sufficient and Sustainable ANSF

Supporting Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) that are sufficient to the task of securing Afghanistan and financially sustainable by the Afghan government and the international community is the foundation of NATO’s transition strategy.
Chicago Summit Declaration on Afghanistan

We, the nations contributing to ISAF, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met today in Chicago to renew our firm commitment to a sovereign, secure and democratic Afghanistan.
Briefing by General John Allen, General Doug Lute, and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes

Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for joining us. We're very pleased today to be joined by two guests here -- General John Allen, who's the Commanding General of ISAF; and Doug Lute, who leads our Afghanistan-Pakistan policy at the White House.
Remarks by President Obama and President Karzai of Afghanistan After Bilateral Meeting

President Obama: All right. Good morning, everybody. It is a great pleasure to welcome President Karzai to my hometown of Chicago after he extended hospitality to me during my visit to to Kabul recently.
Statement by the President on Afghan Transition

I welcome President Karzai’s announcement today of the third tranche of areas to transition to Afghan security lead, which is an important step forward in our effort to achieve objectives in Afghanistan.
Obama in Kabul on Transition in Afghanistan

Remarks by President Obama at the signing of the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement. The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) is a legally binding executive agreement, undertaken between two sovereign nations.
Key Facts on U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement

On May 1, 2012, President Obama and President Karzai signed the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America.
Clinton, Panetta: NATO Partners Committed to Afghanistan

Meetings at the NATO Defense and Foreign Ministers Meeting April 18-19, 2012 provided a clear sense of NATO's ongoing commitment to the security mission in Afghanistan up to and beyond 2014. (U.S. Department of Defense)
Afghan Security Transition Timetable "On Track," Clinton Says

The transition of security control of Afghanistan from international forces to the Afghan government is "on track" for 2014, and countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have reaffirmed their support for the transition and their "enduring commitment to Afghanistan." (U.S. Department of State - International Information Programs)
Panetta: NATO Ministers Agree Afghan Transition on Track

BRUSSELS - NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels this week agreed on a clear message: they are committed to a transition to Afghan security force control, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said. (U.S. Department of Defense)
Panetta Describes U.S. Military Transition in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the United States will begin to draw down combat forces from Afghanistan starting this year, end that role by late 2013 and transition throughout 2014 to one of training and advising local security forces. (U.S. Department of State - International Information Programs)
Transition to Afghan Control a Prudent Step, Officials Say

A transition to Afghan security lead in the country in 2013 is a prudent step, but one that doesn’t change the December 2014 deadline for NATO to end combat operations in the country, Pentagon officials said today. (U.S. Department of Defense)
ISAF’s Mission in Afghanistan

An overview of NATO-ISAF's mission to Afghanistan. (NATO)
Status Report Afghanistan and Pakistan civilian engagement (PDF, 756KB)

This status report outlines progress since the February 2010 “Afghanistan and Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy” report was issued, and reviews key priorities for civilian engagement in Afghanistan and Pakistan moving forward. (U.S. Department of State)
President Obama statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden

President Obama addressed the Nation to announce that the United States has killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda. (White House)
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Press Gaggle, Feb 2 at NATO

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta briefs reporters on discussions with NATO defense ministers, Secretary-General Rasmussen and ISAF contributing nations on NATO reform, Afghanistan, smart defense and Lisbon. (U.S. Department of Defense)
Panetta: Afghanistan Tops NATO Conference Topics

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today he will stress during this week’s NATO defense ministers conference that ongoing coalition commitment is essential to success in Afghanistan. (U.S. Department of Defense)

Webchat

Please join us for a Co.NX webchat on "Empowering Civil Society in Afghanistan"

Monday, April 16, 2012, 17:00 -18:00 CEST: Four Afghan leaders will discuss civil society successes and needs for the future in Afghanistan. Through their own courageous stories, they will provide first-hand examples of their work to promote human rights and support the most marginalized groups of the Afghan public.