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Gates: After 2014, US Should Stay Involved in Afghanistan

Officials agree on engagement beyond deadline, says defense secretary

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2011 6:46 AM CST

(Newser) – Both the US and Afghanistan agree that the US military should maintain its involvement with Afghanistan past 2014 by continuing to train and advise Afghan troops, said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “Obviously it would be a small fraction of the presence that we have today, but I think we're willing to do that,” Gates told troops in Afghanistan today during a two-day visit.

The defense secretary expects to hear that US and NATO troops are making major progress against Taliban fighters, said a Pentagon rep. Officials expect an upcoming Taliban counteroffensive “to regain very, very valuable territory lost over the past six to eight months,” says a general; Gates sees the coming months as key to President Obama’s strategy in the region, the AP reports. Meanwhile, Afghan president Hamid Karzai has called a US apology for the accidental killing of Afghan boys insufficient, saying civilian casualties are “not acceptable” any more.

Gen. David Petraeus, left, top commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, waits to greet U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates upon Gates' arrival in Kabul, Afghanistan Monday, March 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Mandel Ngan, Pool)

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, talks with Gen. David Petreaus upon his arrival in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday March 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Defense Department/Cherie Cullen)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

myflap.blow

Mar 7, 2011 12:14 PM CST

$...$...$...$...$...$$$ (money train)

Ucantusethatname

Mar 7, 2011 11:23 AM CST

Will we never learn? Afghanistan is a lost cause that is killing our soliders and draining our national wealth. Enough is enough. It's time to get the hell out.

Dave99

Mar 7, 2011 7:57 AM CST

I thought bone head Boner said we were broke ? Oh thats right our incompetent military is the one place that conservatives think "throwing money at the problem" is actually a good idea. Yeah no hypocrisy there right cons ?

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Afghanistan • Taliban • Pentagon • Robert Gates • Hamid Karzai • US military • apology • defense secretary • Afghan troops

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Gates: After 2014, US Should Stay Involved in Afghanistan

Officials agree on engagement beyond deadline, says defense secretary

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Taliban • Pentagon • Robert Gates • Hamid Karzai • US military • apology • defense secretary • Afghan troops

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