Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates meets with U.S. Air Force airmen at Manas Air Base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, following a town hall meeting on Dec. 11, 2008. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released)Gates: Iraq-Level U.S. Troops Not Needed
In Afghanistan -- CNN
In Afghanistan -- CNN
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who arrived in Iraq in a surprise visit on Saturday, said he doubts U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan will reach the levels attained in Iraq.
The Soviets, who invaded Afghanistan in the 1970s but left in early 1989 after failing to control the country, had 120,000 troops but lost because they didn't have the support of the people, Gates told forces at Balad Air Base, just north of Baghdad.
The real solution in Afghanistan is the expansion with U.S. support of the nation's national army and police, he added.
The U.S. military has about 31,000 troops in Afghanistan, which is less than a quarter of its total strength in Iraq.
Read more ....
More News On Afghanistan
Troops See a Candid Robert Gates at Town Halls Meetings in Afghanistan -- U.S. News And World Report
Gates Hits NATO Allies' Role in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Four British marines killed in Afghanistan blasts -- Yahoo News/AFP
Report: 13-year-old suicide bomber kills troops -- The Olympian
Brown condemns Taliban 'child bomber' -- CNN
4 Killed in Shooting by U.S. at a Bus Carrying Afghans -- New York Times
One militant killed, 16 detained in Afghanistan -- China View
Commander reviews Afghanistan mission -- Times Union
Karzai reviews process for Afghanistan air strikes -- AP
Karzai visits US aircraft carrier -- AFP
U.S. General: Many in Afghanistan 'Don't Feel Secure' -- U.S. News And World Report
Brown visits Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP
British Prime Minister Visits Afghanistan -- Voice Of America
British PM hints to send more troops to Afghanistan -- China View
Brown in tribute to dead marines -- BBC
Canadian Troops in Afghanistan Measure Success Inch by Inch -- Washington Post
Marine Corps honors 20 killed in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Silver Star record for unit in Afghan cliff clash -- AP
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 557 -- Yahoo News/AP
Obama's Afghanistan Hurdles (Opinion) -- The Atlantic