U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, walks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, right, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Dec. 8, 2009. Gates is on his first trip to Southwest Asia following President Barack Obama's decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, walks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, right, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Dec. 8, 2009. Gates is on his first trip to Southwest Asia following President Barack Obama's decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. SHARE: Download: Full Size (2.85 MB) Tags: Photo Essays Credit: VIRIN: 202352-J-WEG59-813.jpg Photo Gallery