Obama hails the future of a 'new kind of relationship' with Afghanistan On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama addressed the American people from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to announce an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai: "The goal that I set -- to defeat al-Qaida, and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is within reach." Watch the full speech here. Wrapping up a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama made a televised address from the war-torn country to discuss an agreement he signed with President Hamid Karzai. The agreement, which would see 23,000 U.S. troops withdrawn by the end of the summer, hails "a new kind of relationship" that would see the United States in a supportive role. "As our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country," Obama said. President Obama's visit to Afghanistan was kept secret until he met with President Hamid Karzai. During a planned meeting on Tuesday, signed just after midnight, the two leaders signed a post-war agreement that provides a framework to the U.S."s commitment to Afghanistan after the long and unpopular war comes to an end. President Obama goes to Afghanistan to sign post-war agreement At the podium at Bagram Air Field on the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death, Obama noted that 10,000 troops left last year. Nearly half the Afghan population lives in areas where Afghan Security Forces are taking the lead. "The Iraq War is over," the president said. The number of our troops in harm's way has been cut in half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al-Qaida. International troops will continue to train and advise the Afghans, Obama said.