US defense chief sees signs of progress in Afghanistan but says he’ll remain cautious

Gates: Surge seems to be working in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says evidence is building that the Obama administration’s surge strategy is working in Afghanistan.

Gates says that with the addition of 30,000 forces this year, war commander Gen. David Petraeus sees the beginning of a turnaround in the nine-year war. Gates endorsed that assessment in remarks Thursday at the Pentagon.

The U.S. defense secretary pointed to improvements in the size and quality of the Afghan Army, which is supposed to begin taking over responsibility for the country’s security next year.

Gates said he is “encouraged,” but warns of much more difficult fighting to come. He also says that he wants to err on the side of caution, saying the U.S. got ahead of itself in predicting success in Iraq.