U.S. official: December review to help set 'pace' of Afghan transitionBy Adam S. Levine, CNN Washington (CNN) - An upcoming December review of Afghanistan strategy will help the president determine the "path" and "pace" of the U.S. drawdown of troops and transition of territory to the Afghan government next July, according to a senior administration official. The approximately 70-page classified review is being prepared to assess progress one year after President Barack Obama announced he was adding 30,000 US troops to Afghanistan. At the time, the president said that by July 2011 the United States will begin pulling some troops out depending on the conditions. Click here for the complete story. Israelis slam Obama statement on JerusalemBy the CNN Wire Staff Jerusalem (CNN) - President Barack Obama's disappointment over Israel's plans for new housing in east Jerusalem has drawn criticism from the prime minister's office and the country's settler council. Appearing before reporters in Indonesia on the second leg of his Asian trip, Obama was asked whether "Israel's advanced planning for more than a thousand new homes in Jerusalem" undermines his peace efforts and trust between Israelis and Palestinians. For the complete story, go to CNN World. Obama awarded Medal of Honor on mother's behalf![]() JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) - President Obama was “deeply moved” when he was awarded a gold medal of honor on behalf of his late mother during a dinner with Indonesian President Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono praised Obama’s mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, for her research on the role of women and the empowerment of the country. "I am proud and humbled to accept this award on behalf of my mother,“ the president said. Press conference by President Obama and President Yudhoyono![]() Delivered at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, Indonesia PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO: (As translated.) Your Excellency, President Barack Obama, today Indonesia has the honor of welcoming the state visit fulfilling my invitation to him. It is my hope that this visit that we have been waiting for so long by the people of Indonesia, can further enhance the relations between Indonesia and the cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in the future. The president's toast at Indonesian state dinner![]() Delivered at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, Indonesia President Yudhoyono, Mrs. Yudhoyono, to all the distinguished guests who are here today, thank you for this extraordinary honor. I am proud and humbled to accept this award on behalf of my mother. And although she could not be here in person, I know that my sister Maya Soetoro would be equally proud. Obama's boyhood homeWashington (CNN) - Get an up close and personal tour of President Obama's childhood home in Jakarta, Indonesia, with CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux. Obama's Indonesia visit officially shortened![]() JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) - President Obama is officially shortening his visit to this city because of fears that volcanic ash spewing from Mount Merapi could have grounded Air Force One, according to administration officials. Obama: perks of the job ain't badJAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) - Even on days when he's jet-lagged and probably still reeling from that shellacking in the midterm election, President Obama can't help blurting out sometimes that the perks of being the commander-in-chief are pretty cool. State dinner in Jakarta, Indonesia![]() Pool report in Jakarta, Indonesia, from AFP's Steve Collinson Earlier tonight, at the state palace complex, the presidents swapped after dinner speeches and toasts. The President said he was "deeply moved" after he was awarded a gold medal of honor on behalf of his late mother, and said "I promise it won't take so long before I come back." White House officials preview Indonesia speech![]() Delivered via conference call in Jakarta, Indonesia by Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes and Assistant Press Secretary Josh Earnest MR. EARNEST: Good evening, everybody. We're under a little tight deadline here so we're going to move quickly. Ben Rhodes is joining us on the phone to give you a little preview of what to expect in the speech tomorrow. The ground rules for this is we're going to do this on the record and you can use it right away as needed. |
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