Defense Secretary Robert Gates is playing down President Obama’s vow to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Gates said that there are “no deadlines in terms of when our troops will all be out.” Gates also said a US withdrawal would probably take two to three years whenever it begins. Meanwhile, the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, appeared before Afghan lawmakers in Kabul.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal: “I think we now have clarity on our mission that we never had before. I believe we have clarity on our partnership better than we’ve ever had before. I believe we have capabilities, not just the additional forces, but also the improved partnership, the improved way in which we conduct operations, our improved understanding. I believe we have a commitment that is more clear.”