Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Kabul on Monday in his first trip to the country since the start of President Obama’s 30,000 troop surge. Gates said recent gains had been made by NATO troops on the ground, including the push to retake the Taliban stronghold of Marjah.

Robert Gates: “There is still much fighting ahead, and there will assuredly be more dark days. But looking forward, there are grounds for optimism as our countries pursue what President Karzai has called an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned initiative to ensure peace and stability. That is a goal I share, and working together, it is one we can achieve.”