Robert Gates says Afghanistan withdrawal will be gradual

The Defense secretary says only some troops will leave in July 2011 and that he's confident of making progress against the Taliban by then. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates denied today that President Obama had set an "exit strategy" for Afghanistan, and he forecast that only a "handful" of U.S. troops may leave the country in July 2011, when a withdrawal is due to begin.

Read full article Share article