CLEAN: US troop surge in Afghanistan: America reacts

President Obama announced a surge of 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, aiming to roll back the Taliban insurgency and defeat al Qaeda within 18 months. The strategy was praised by the American press for its political courage, but faced mixed reactions from the public. Obama reassured Americans that the war is not endless, despite its high costs. Public opinion varied, with skepticism about the feasibility of troop withdrawal by 2011 due to the challenging situation in Afghanistan.

What is the main goal of the additional 30,000 troops being deployed to Afghanistan?

How does Obama describe the previous Afghanistan policy?

What is the financial cost of the conflict mentioned in the text?

What concerns do some people have regarding the situation in Afghanistan?

What is the current status of U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan as mentioned in the text?