Obama Makes Unannounced Visit to Afghanistan—PICTURES

By National Journal Staff

Updated: May 1, 2012 | 8:34 p.m.
May 1, 2012 | 4:26 p.m.

President Obama flew to Aghanistan on Tuesday and spoke about the strategic agreement that will clear the way for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops.

President Obama is greeted by Lt. Gen. Curtis "Mike" Scaparrotti, left, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker, second left, as he steps off Air Force One at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Scaparrotti and Crocker shake Obama's hand as he steps off Air Force One. It is Obama's third trip to Afghanistan as president. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Obama taps Scaparrotti on the back after deplaning at Bagram. The trip coincides with the anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden.

President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrive before signing a strategic partnership agreement on Tuesday at the presidential palace in Kabul. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Arriving in darkness, members of the press and Obama's entourage walk from Air Force One to waiting helicopters at Bagram Air Field. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Security vehicles can be seen as President Obama's motorcade drives to the presidential palace in Kabul. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

White House senior adviser David Plouffe, center, talks with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., right, and committee member Jack Reed, D-R.I., as Obama and Karzai met at the presidential palace in Kabul. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

An unidentified aide, left, arranges documents as Obama and Karzai sign a strategic partnership agreement at the presidential palace in Kabul. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Obama and Karzai sign the strategic partnership agreement. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Obama and Karzai speak before signing the agreement. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Obama and Karzai emerge from their meeting before signing the new pact. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Obama and Karzai sign the new agreement. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama gets a high five as he greets troops at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Wednesday, May 2, 2012. ((AP Photo/Charles Dharapak))

Marine Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, introduces President Barack Obama before he addresses troops at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Wednesday, May 2, 2012. ((AP Photo/Charles Dharapak))

President Barack Obama addresses troops at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Wednesday, May 2, 2012. ((AP Photo/Charles Dharapak))

Military personnel watch on a screen as President Obama makes a live address at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Wednesday, May 2, 2012. ((AP Photo/Charles Dharapak))

President Obama delivers a speech from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Tuesday, May 2, 2012. ((AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool))

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