Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Kabul for a two-day visit to Afghanistan. Stars and Stripes reports Gates will gauge the success of the troop surge, and NATO’s efforts to build up Afghan security forces. The idea is to determine which U.S. forces will be the first to leave when the planned withdrawal begins in July. This is Gates’ 13th visit to the region, and likely his last as Defense Secretary. This is a pivotal time for the region. There has been a lull in fighting over the winter, but commanders are waiting to see how strongly insurgents will renew their fight in the spring. What happens in the next few months will determine the conditions on the ground by July and help guide the decision to bring troops home.

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