six months ago, i came here to announce a new strategfor afghanistan and pakistan. i stand here humbled by the knowledge that many of you will soon be serving in harm's y. i assure you you will go with the full support of a proud and grateful nation. we face a tough fight in afghanistan. and the insurgency that is confronted with a direct challenge will turn to new paths. the taliban has assassinated and participated in indiscriminate killing. any country that has known decades of war will be teste in finding political solutions to its problems and providing government's that n serve the needs of i people. this war has changed over the last nine years. it is as important as it was after 9/11. we must break the momentum of an surgency and train afghan security forces. we have support of the election of a sovereign government. we must strengthen its capacity. it has brought hope to the afghan people. we must see the country does not fall prey to our common enemies. there will be difficult days ahead. we will adapt, we will persist, and i have no doubt that together, w