After weeks of agonising over US strategy in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama prepared to announce his plans in one of the most important speeches of his presidency.
He travelled to the military academy in West Point, New York, to make the announcement in a televised speech to cadets.
Mr Obama revealed plans to reinforce America's contingent by 30,000 troops, bringing its strength to more than 100,000.
US servicemen were among those following the much-anticipated speech.
The US leader received a warm welcome from the cadets.
As anti-war protesters demonstrated outside West Point, Mr Obama insisted it was not a new Vietnam War.
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