President Barack Obama today called the conflict in Afghanistan "a war worth fighting" in a speech designed to stiffen US public support ahead of this week's important Afghan elections.
Mr Obama's words aimed to prepare Americans for the long haul. US combat deaths have risen since he ordered a troop build-up to confront a resurgent Taliban, and polls show public backing for the eight year-war has softened.
"The insurgency in Afghanistan didn't just happen overnight, and we won't defeat it overnight," Mr Obama told the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the largest US military veterans group.
"This will not be quick nor easy."
Mr Obama described why he believes the Afghanistan policy he unveiled earlier this year is working and why the United States must remain committed to stabilizing the war-ravaged country.
"This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity," Mr Obama said.
"Those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again. If left unchecked, the Taliban insurgency will mean an even larger safe haven from which al-Qaeda would plot to kill more Americans."
"So this is not only a war worth fighting, this is fundamental to the defence of our people," Mr Obama said.
Since taking office in January, he has shifted focus from the more unpopular war in Iraq to Afghanistan as his top foreign policy priority.
Mr Obama spoke as Afghans prepared to vote in an election on Thursday that the Taliban, stronger than at any time since they were driven from power in 2001, have vowed to disrupt.
Securing the balloting will be a crucial test for Mr Obama's strategy that has rushed 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan this year.
Underlining the threat, the Taliban on Saturday claimed a suicide car bomb that killed seven people in Kabul.
In a speech that also covered Iraq, defence spending and healthcare for veterans, Mr Obama did not comment on the Afghan presidential contenders to avoid charges of US interference.
Despite the administration's unease with President Hamid Karzai, polls show the incumbent comfortably leading his nearest challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, but not by enough to avoid a run-off.
The new commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, will deliver a strategy assessment shortly after the election. It comes as surging Taliban violence is exerting pressure on Washington to show results.
Reuters