Gates: Surge to turn tide on Taliban

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates yesterday toured the nerve centre of NATO command in Afghanistan, telling officers an imminent troop surge would turn around the eight-year war against the Taliban.

Gates visited the NATO-run International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) joint operation centre, which has 170 staff from 42 nations, saying improved allied co-operation and the sweeping new strategy put success within reach.

“We have all the pieces coming together to be successful here,” Gates told staff in the imposing command room, where commanders co-ordinate operations throughout Afghanistan.