With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at his side, President Obama unveiled a new strategy for fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

President Obama says the new strategy, which “marks the conclusion of a careful policy review” with top military and diplomatic officials, includes plans for increased funding and an additional 4,000 troops above the 17,000 increase he previously authorized. These 4,000 troops will train Afghan security forces.

“As president, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people. We are not in Afghanistan to control that country or to dictate its future,” the president said. “I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.”

The increased funding will support civilian efforts, because “a campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone,” Obama said. He said he supports a congressional bill that would authorize $1.5 billion in aid over the next five years to help build schools, hospitals and strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

The president acknowledged the high price of these efforts. “Resources are stretched,” Obama said. “But the American people must understand that this is a down payment on our own future.”

For more, see “Obama Announces New Strategy for Afghanistan, Pakistan.”