Backtrack
Yesterday our defense secretary, Robert Gates, blamed NATO for the problems in Afghanistan. Needless to say they didn't take to kindly to that criticism and now Gates is trying to save face:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that sending U.S. Marines to Afghanistan will keep pressure on the Taliban and doesn't "reflect dissatisfaction" with NATO countries' performance.
He was trying to smooth over comments a day earlier that sparked an international furor. The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Gates said U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan are doing a terrific job but that he is concerned that NATO allies are not well-trained in counterinsurgency operations.
"Allied forces ... have stepped up to the plate and are playing a significant and powerful role in Afghanistan," Gates told a Defense Department news conference, which officials said had purposely been rescheduled for earlier in the day Thursday to meet European news deadlines.
