We can't forget why we're here. We did not choose this war. This was not an act of America wanting to expand its influence; of us wanting to meddle in somebody else's business. We were attacked viciously on 9/11. Thousands of our fellow countrymen and women were killed. And this is the region where the perpetrators of that crime, al Qaeda, still base their leadership. Plots against our homeland, plots against our allies, plots against the Afghan and Pakistani people are taking place as we speak right here. And if this region slides backwards, if the Taliban retakes this country and al Qaeda can operate with impunity, then more American lives will be at stake. The Afghan people will lose their chance at progress and prosperity. And the world will be significantly less secure.
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Our broad mission is clear: We are going to disrupt and dismantle, defeat and destroy al Qaeda and its extremist allies.
Formerly known as the war on terror and still that, whatever he prefers to call it. Contrary to what the president says, the war was chosen: but justifiably, as an act of self-defence; and justifiably still pursued, in part for reasons of security and in part, as he also says, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan.