We are going to be there for a long time.....

A contradiction in stated Afghanistan War goals has emerged at the highest levels of American government. While President Barack Obama has indicated he would like US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in 2011, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton point out there is no deadline or exit strategy. "We're not talking about an abrupt withdrawal. We're talking about something that will take place over a period of time," Gates told Meet the Press. "We will have 100,000 troops there. And they are not leaving in July of 2011. Some handful or some small number or whatever the conditions permit, will begin to withdraw at that time."..Link