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President Barack Obama announced Tuesday evening that the U.S. will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan and will also begin to scale down the U.S. presence within the country in 18 months.

Obama cast the decision to bolster U.S. forces as a necessary step for preventing the resurgence of violent extremism in the region.

“I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Obama stated during an address at the West Point Military academy in New York. “We must deny al Qaeda a safe-haven. We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government.”

According to Obama, the escalation of troop levels will be carried out at “the fastest pace possible,” with the first set of U.S. forces slated to arrive in early 2010.

The president stressed that military efforts in Afghanistan will continue to be an international effort and expressed confidence that there will be increased commitment from the global community in coming weeks.

"What’s at stake is the security of our allies and the common security of the world,” Obama said.

The president’s remarks were met with both praise and criticism. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Al.) both issued statements blasting Obama for failing to send the full 40,000 requested by General Stanley McChrystal, who commands U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) voiced his support for the timetable, explaining that it highlighted an “essential distinction” between the Obama and Bush administrations.

The president was accompanied by members of his cabinet, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, as well as several senior military and national security officials.