U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates conducts a meeting with Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay during a recent visit to Krakow, Poland, Feb. 20, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry MorrisonAmerica Yields In Battle For Nato Troops -- Times Online
AFTER repeated rebuffs, America is preparing to abandon its insistence that Nato allies commit more combat troops to Afghanistan, despite fears the Taliban are gaining strength.
The climbdown comes after Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, made a last-ditch appeal for more troops at a two-day meeting of Nato ministers in Krakow, Poland, last week, and received a cool response.
“I think he was going through the motions,” said Steven Clemons, a foreign policy expert at the New America Foundation in Washington.
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More News On Nato, Troop Surge, And Afganistan
Obama: Bilateral Cooperation Critical to Enduring Mission in Afghanistan -- U.S. Department Of Defense
NATO Ministers Announce More Aid to Afghanistan, Prep for April Summit -- U.S. Department of Defense
NATO allies reluctant to increase Afghan presence -- International Herald Tribune
US Defense Chief Says Obama Will Ask NATO for More Help in Afghanistan -- Voice Of America
U.S. seeks NATO support for broader Afghan strategy -- China View
NATO Allies Offer Support for Afghans -- New York Times
