With Secretaries Clinton and Gates at his side, President Obama today said that gains in Afghanistan are “fragile” but real. While he still hopes to begin a so-called “conditions-based” withdrawal in July of next year, US combat forces will remain until December of 2014. Also, in the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against BP. Fines and penalties could cost the company tens of billions of dollars.
Banner image: (L to R) Defense Secretary Gates, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and Joint Chief of Staff Vice Chairman, General Cartwright look on as President Obama (C) discusses the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review at the White House, December 16, 2010. Official While House Photo: Pete Souza