Current events 5

Source - yahoo news (associated press)
Date - 3/28/10
Who is involved-US president Barack Obama, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, US troop, Taliban, and al-Qaida.

Summary
US President Barack Obama visited US troops under secrecy on Sunday, with a message of commitment to continuing the fight against al-Qaida.
The trip lasted six hours during the night, and was previously unannounced.
The trip was aimed to justify and support both the continuation of the war and the increased deployment of troops, for both troops deployed and civilians at home.
Additionally, the President invited Afghan President Hamid Karzai to the US for talks. This additionally builds on momentum from the success of both the healthcare bill and the nuclear arms treaty with Moscow.

Significance
The article is a good demonstration of how timing can greatly enhance a specific visit. Thanks to the administrations recent successes, the Afghan war can now be framed in a slightly more positive way, and momentum will hopefully be built.
Comparing this to the previous President's "Mission Accomplished" speech, and the importance of timing in speeches is instantly understandable.

Opinion
I think this sort of thing is almost always a good thing, though i was a bit surprised to find out the President hasn't had a chance to visit Afghanistan during his term in office, though he has had quite a bit to do.
Either way though, i think the overall message of the speech was good, both politically and truthfully.
Article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_obama_afghanistan;_ylt=ArPo2QWccLFU0xvFwnNcpXes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNrOGp2c2hpBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzI5L2FzX29iYW1hX2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRwdANob21lX2Nva2UEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDb2JhbWFzbGlwc2lu