Biden: Back NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan Biden also urged European lawmakers to support NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan, which is facing growing opposition in Europe, where many people consider the war unnecessary and unwinnable. "While sustaining the mission there has not always not been popular, we know that this is essential," Biden said.Earlier Thursday, Biden met with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to discuss the Afghan war and relations with Russia."They both share the same view. They believe that NATO should take on territorial missile defense as a NATO mission at the next summit" in November, alliance spokesman James Appathurai said. "But this is an alliance decision which will be discussed among member nations."Fogh Rasmussen also has warned that Iran was moving ahead on developing new missiles of intermediate and intercontinental range.Both men stressed the need to prepare Afghanistan's army and police to take over responsibility for security in some provinces of the country from the NATO-led international force, which is scheduled to grow to more than 140,000 troops by this summer. This includes the deployment of hundreds more police and army trainers to work with the Afghan forces."They pointed out the importance of creating conditions for transitions to be able to go forward at the end of this year if possible," Appathurai said.
'We're committed to missile defense'
Biden says US firm on deploying Europe system to counter Iran threat.
Biden: Back NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan Biden also urged European lawmakers to support NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan, which is facing growing opposition in Europe, where many people consider the war unnecessary and unwinnable. "While sustaining the mission there has not always not been popular, we know that this is essential," Biden said.Earlier Thursday, Biden met with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to discuss the Afghan war and relations with Russia."They both share the same view. They believe that NATO should take on territorial missile defense as a NATO mission at the next summit" in November, alliance spokesman James Appathurai said. "But this is an alliance decision which will be discussed among member nations."Fogh Rasmussen also has warned that Iran was moving ahead on developing new missiles of intermediate and intercontinental range.Both men stressed the need to prepare Afghanistan's army and police to take over responsibility for security in some provinces of the country from the NATO-led international force, which is scheduled to grow to more than 140,000 troops by this summer. This includes the deployment of hundreds more police and army trainers to work with the Afghan forces."They pointed out the importance of creating conditions for transitions to be able to go forward at the end of this year if possible," Appathurai said.