Robert Gates has one last, crucial mission before he leaves office, and it's not in Afghanistan or Iraq.

在罗伯特-盖茨卸任之前，他还有最后一个至关重要的任务需要完成。

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These troops have rarely been at the center of the action: in Afghanistan, they stay in the relatively calm north; in Lebanon, they patrol at sea, not on land.

这些部队鲜少处于行动的中心：在阿富汗，他们留驻于相对平静的北方；在黎巴嫩，他们则在海上巡逻，而不是在陆地上。

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They insist they were in Afghanistan to help the poor, not to convert them.

他们坚称，他们来阿富汗是为了帮助穷人，而不是让他们改变信仰。

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Clinton said the United States and NATO allies are not in Afghanistan for altruistic reasons, but rather to counter a real security threat from what she termed a "syndicate of terrorism" led, funded and inspired by al-Qaida.

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We have not been as focused as we need to be on all the various steps that are needed in order to deal with Afghanistan."

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PRESIDENT OBAMA: "I think Afghanistan is still winnable, in the sense of our ability to ensure that it is not a launching pad for attacks against North America.

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"If you consider al-Qaeda as enemy, they are not in Afghanistan and they are in their safe havens, outside Afghanistan, " he said.

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The funeral party was provided by members of 42 Commando, who were not in Afghanistan, and consisted of six coffin bearers and a 12-person salute-firing party.

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But we are here today because these Americans in uniform have never served alone -- not at Lexington, not at Concord, not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan.

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