The U.S. Strategy for War in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - A review of Obama's strategy for the war in Afghanistan concluded that U.S. forces can start withdrawing on schedule in July, despite any signs of uneven progress in the year since President has announced the deployment of 30,000 additional troops, according to a summary released Thursday.

The summary said that the U.S. continues to kill leaders of Al Qaeda and reduce its ability to launch terrorist attacks in the region. He cited some signs that the United States and its allies have stopped or reversed advances by the Taliban in Afghanistan and strengthen the capacity of Afghan forces to secure their country, but acknowledged that the gains are fragile and can easily be canceled Unless progress is made towards the hunt for insurgents operating from havens in neighboring Pakistan.

"We are in a better position to give our forces in Afghanistan, support and resources they need to accomplish their mission," Obama said at a news conference to discuss the report Thursday. "We are making considerable progress towards our military objectives. "

The report is the first large-scale evaluation of the strategy of Mr. Obama, and has already been described by government as critical to decisions regarding the conduct of war and the pace of withdrawal by the United States coming from Afghanistan. But the White House has downplayed the report for months, even if it continues to balance pressure from the military for time to allow the troop surge to work and pressure from many Democrats - some to the within the administration - starting next year to show that Obama is serious about winding down the conflict nine years.

Abstract little light on the scale of any withdrawal of troops next year, which explains the administration will be determined by conditions on the ground. He also reiterated that the troops should stay in Afghanistan until at least 2014.

"This continues to be a very difficult undertaking," Obama said. "Al Qaeda is squatting. It will take time to track them down." But he promised to "never deviate from our goal."