VOA慢速英语:'Not Just America's War,' Obama Says in Announcing Afghan Plan

1.Setting a date to begin removing troops is meant to put pressure on the government of President Hamid Karzai to take responsibility.

is meant to意味着，为了

例句：The Buddhist saying "put away the knife, and the butcher becomes a Buddha immediately" is meant to instruct people to  behave in a good way.
      佛家讲“放下屠刀，立地成佛”是让人向善。

2.But Defense Secretary Robert Gates said July of two thousand eleven "will be the beginning of a process" that will depend on conditions in Afghanistan.

depend on依赖, 依靠

例句：You can't depend on your parents forever.
      你不能永远依赖你的双亲。

      You may depend on their support.
      你可依靠他们的支持。

3.For many Americans, finding a job and getting health care are the top concerns -- as the president recognized in his speech.

as引导方式状语从句，意为"如"，"像"，"按照……的方式".如：I want you to tell my friend your very interesting experience exactly as you have told it to me. 我想让你像给我讲述的那样，给我的朋友讲一讲你那段极其有趣的经历。

    Remember， you must do everything as I do. 记住，你必须按照我做的那样做一切。

    注意：like在非正式语体中可以有与as相同的用法。如：I can't sing like I used to.我不能像以前那样唱歌了。

    He writes just like his brother did when he was young. 他现在写文章正像他哥哥年轻时写文章一样。