Gates comments on US missions in Iraq, Afghanistan

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2009 13:42

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates doubts that conditions in Iraq will change enough to significantly alter President Barack Obama's plans for troop withdrawal.

US soldiers at a streetside position in west Baquba, 2008.(AFP/File/Ali Yussef)

But he admits significant political, diplomatic and economic challenges remain.

US President Barack Obama announced that the 142-thousand US forces in Iraq would be drawn down to between 35-thousand and 50-thousand troops by August 31, 2010. And all US forces will leave Iraq by the end of 2011.

On a Sunday morning show, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Obama has noted that he retains the authority to change the plan in the interest of national security.