Defense Secretary Gates Lands in Afghanistan

Will meet with President Karzai who is set to announce security handover timetable

Commander of International Security Assistance Forces Afghanistan General David Petraeus walks with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Monday, March 7, 2011 upon Gates’ arrival in Kabul. (Photo credit: Mandel Ngan / AFP — Getty Images)

Reuters and The Associated Press via MSNBC.com
March 7, 2011

KABUL — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan on Monday on an unannounced visit at a time of increased strain between Kabul and its Western backers and with important security transition milestones looming. …

The U.S. is committed to beginning a troop withdrawal in July. But the size and scope of the pullback will depend on the degree of progress toward handing off full control to the shaky Afghan government.

Gates will also meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who complained angrily last week after nine Afghan children were mistakenly killed by helicopters from the NATO-led force.

Karzai is due to announce on March 21 a timetable for the beginning of the gradual handover of security responsibility from foreign forces to Afghans. The process is to begin in July and be complete by 2014. …

Full story

——

Late update

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ruled out permanent U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, despite U.S. interest in keeping a military presence in the former al-Qaida haven beyond the planned end of combat in three years.

——

Related reports on this site

Colin Powell on Afghan Policy (Sept. 20, 2010)

Video

Powell: Obama to face ‘difficult’ Afghan choice (NBC “Meet the Press,” Sept. 19, 2010) — Retired Gen. Colin Powell discusses the state of the war in Afghanistan with NBC’s David Gregory on “Meet the Press.” (01:57)

‘Tough Days Ahead’ in Afghanistan (Sept. 3, 2010)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Chuck Hagel on National Defense (Sept. 3, 2009)

Sen. Chuck Hagel and Aubrey Immelman

——

FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — March 7, 2010

U.S. al-Qaida Mouthpiece Captured

Al-Qaida spokesman Adam Yahiye Gadahn

One year ago today, I reported that Adam Gadahn, the American-born English-language propagandist for al-Qaida, had been captured in Karachi, Pakistan. However, it was later revealed that this was a case of mistaken identity and that the man in custody was in fact Abu Yahya Majadin Adam.

——

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — March 7, 2009

Iraq Exit Will Be Long and Hard

Upon assuming the presidency, Barack Obama said ending the war in Iraq would require a new definition of victory, but experts said ending the war might not mean a peace dividend for the ballooning U.S. defense budget. (Photo credit: AP / Charles Dharapak)

Two years ago today, on March 7, 2009, I reported that with the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq in sight, the cost of leaving had begun to be measured in financial, logistical, and — above all — political terms, with the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq estimated to cost hundreds of billions of dollars.