Obama Declares End of Considerable Military Deployments Abroad

US President Barack Obama addresses troops gathered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Wrightstown, New Jersey. Photo: EPA

US President Barack Obama announced on Monday a “turning point” for US military while he greeted troops returning from Afghanistan.

Obama said in the future the US will abstain from large-scale deployments of troops aimed at nation-building overseas.

The US President reminded that when he assumed office in 2009, almost 180 000 troops were participating in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but these numbers are to be scaled down to 15 000 at the end of this year.

Speaking at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, Obama declared that the deployment of large ground forces tasked with nation-building abroad is coming to an end.

US and NATO troops closed their operational command in Afghanistan last week, following the longest lasting involvement of US military abroad, which had begun back in 2001.

However some troops are to remain and carry out operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets.

Obama assured that the US army is to continue to be the best trained, best led and best equipped in the history in order to be prepared when the world needs it.

Upon his arrival at the base the US President was welcomed by Republican Governor Chris Christie, who is the potential candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections in 2016.

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