U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates feels that the current review of the U.S. Military in Iraq and Afghanistan should be kept private. In a speech given to a convention he said that Afghanistan was a worrisome issue. Violence was up 60 percent compared to last year. Afghanistan has seen a resurgence of the Taliban. He said that President Obama will soon have to take tough decision regarding the troop levels in the countries. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President is not considering a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Earlier this year the President had approved about 20000 additional troops. The new aggressive campaign has resulted in a increasing number of U.S. Casualties. The first week of October this year saw 16 dead. That was the same number for the entire month of October last year. The ground commanders have publicly voiced their support for the continuation of this strategy. This would require increased troop levels. However Gates reiterated that the military will comply with whatever decision the President takes. The secretary also voiced his opposition to plans to increase the amount of air strikes and reduce the number of troops on the ground . He said this plan was not in accord with reality.He said that technology has its own limitations.