1.  What decision has President Obama made about troops for Afghanistan?

2.  What does the Obama administration hope to accomplish by setting a date for withdrawing the troops from Afghanistan? 

3.  For what reason did President Obama say he set a date to begin troop withdrawals from Afghanistan?

4.  a) Why does Republican Senator John McCain disagree with President Obama about setting a date to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan?
b) What did Sen. McCain say he believes the corrrect exit strategy to be?
c) With whom do you agree?  Explain your answer.

5.  How did President Obama dismiss criticism of his order to set a date for troop withdrawal?

6.  Why did some officials question the possibility of deploying all 30,000 troops to Afghanistan by the summer?

7.  CHALLENGE QUESTION:  Read a commentary by retired Army lieutenant colonel Robert Maginnis, who is a senior strategist with the U.S. Army at humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=34635.
Do you think Mr. Maginnis makes a good case for his assertions?  Explain your answer. (If you haven't done so already, watch President Obama's speech posted under "Resources" below before reading the commentary.)