Question

Analyzing a Speech The following is an excerpt from President Obama's speech on December 1, 2009. In this speech, President Obama is addressing the nation on a way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the second paragraph of this speech, what does "progress" mean for this particular war? How else have we judged progress as a country? What other ways have we used the word progress to describe ourselves as a country?

Answer 1

Progress in President Obama's 2009 speech about Afghanistan specifically refers to military and strategic achievements toward stability and security. Across U.S. history, progress encompasses various areas including civil rights, economics, and advancements in technology and education.

Step-by-step explanation:

In President Obama's December 1, 2009 speech concerning the war in Afghanistan, the term progress refers to the military and strategic gains made in counteracting insurgency, strengthening Afghan governance, and tackling the challenges posed by Al-Qaeda. Progress in this context is about achieving specific goals that lead to stability and security in the region.

Throughout American history, progress has been utilized in various ways to describe the nation's development and growth. It encompasses advancements in civil rights, such as the inclusion of same-sex marriage, in technology, healthcare reform like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and a broader commitment to diversity and inclusion.

From an economic standpoint, progress can be judged through metrics such as employment rates, GDP growth, and poverty levels. On a broader scale, societal progress in the United States has also been gauged by achievements in science and education, strides made toward gender and racial equality, and the expansion of democratic principles.