A meeting of foreign ministers of the NATO-Russia Council is held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels Dec. Victor Cruz Youth Jersey . 4, 2009.[Xinhua] BRUSSELS: NATO allies and partner nations rallied Friday to US President Barrack Obamas call for an international military surge in Afghanistan, by adding at least 7,000 troops to the 30,000 fresh US soldiers due to deploy next year in what could be the last chance to stem the rising tide of Taliban violence. Despite all the challenges, all the uncertainties and all the casualties, they remain absolutely united about this mission, said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen after talks with foreign ministers from the 44 nations contributing to the mission in Afghanistan. The extra international troops, combined with the growing Afghan National Army, will mean the US and its allies will have about 300,000 soldiers on the ground next year, outnumbering the Taliban insurgents by over ten-to-one, according to NATO estimates. Fogh Rasmussen said the injection of more firepower plus a switch in strategy designed to undermine local support for the Taliban means success is in reach. Obama has set a July 2010 target for international forces to begin a gradual withdrawal and handover to Afghan forces. However, with public support in many countries skeptical about the chances of success and increasingly opposed to the war, NATO officials are keenly aware that this may be their last chance to get the Afghan strategy right. They know that failure would be a potential fatal blow to NATO credibility that risks Afghanistan emerging as a terrorist haven and a threat to nuclear-armed Pakistan. Fogh Rasmussen said at least 25 nations have committed to deploy additional troops in 2010. This is a significant contribution by our NATO partners, said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I am heartened by the level of additional help we have received. The international force has been growing steadily in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime in 2001. However, they have failed to halt the insurgency as remnants of the Taliban regime that has been reinvigorated by profits from the narcotics trade and recruits from Afghans disillusioned with continued poverty and widespread government corruption. Related readings: Obama: Afghanistan troop announcement coming soon Faced with the worsening situation, Obama agreed this week with a request from NATOs top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal who has requested 40,000 troops to back a switch in tactics to focus more on providing security for Afghan civilians and promoting development. The aim is to starve the Taliban of support while simultaneously building up effective Afghan security forces who can eventually take on the lions share of the fight against the insurgents. New contributions made public over the past few days include 1,000 from Italy, 600 from Poland, 500 from Britain, 240 from Slovakia, 125 from Albania and 100 each from Romania, Portugal and the Czech Republic. Turkey, which has resisted calls to send more combat troops beyond the 720 it has on the ground, said it would deploy about 60 more experts to train Afghan soldiers. Several non-NATO nations also said they would send fresh troops including Georgia with 900, South Korea with 400, Sweden and Australia with 125 each and Colombia with 84. This is a resounding vote of confidence in the strategy that has been set out by President Obama, said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. Its a very clear commitment from the international community. More commitments are expected on Monday at a force generation conference held at NATOs military headquarters in southern Belgium. Notably missing from the list of new contributors however were Germany and France. Both of them are considering sending more training units for the Afghan army and police, but are reluctant to deploy extra combat units. We are willing to do more for training the police to help add to security, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters. A debate that is reduced to the question of how many troops -- yes or no to more -- is from our point of view neither constructive nor appropriate. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2nd L) attends the NATO-Russia Council meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels Dec. 4, 2009.[Xinhua] French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed skepticism that the new American strategy would bring short-term benefits, but he left open the possibility that France might strengthen its current contingent of 3,000 if necessary. French and German officials have hinted they may review their position after an international conference on Afghanistan scheduled for Jan. 28 in London. NATO diplomats are hopeful pledges after that meeting could take allied contributions up to the 10,000 initially requested by US commanders. The German parliament agreed Thursday to renew the mandate of the countrys current contingent of 4,400 troops in northern Afghanistan. Pressure is also growing on Canada and the Netherlands who have set deadlines in 2011 and end 2010 for the withdrawal of their troops. Canadas 2,830 soldiers and the Dutch contingent of 2,160 have been playing a key role in some of the most violent parts of southern Afghanistan, but faced with public opposition their governments are planning to pull out them out. Clinton signaled out the Dutch for particular praise, saying their policy of Defense, Diplomacy and Development had been a model for the new US strategy. The Dutch practice of focusing more on support for development and protection of local communities in Uruzgan province was once criticized by US commanders as being too soft on the Taliban. Now many of the ideas developed by the Dutch to reach out to the local population are being expanded under McChrystals strategic review. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan currently has 83,467 troops. In addition, the United States has around 20,000 troops there outside the NATO command and the Afghan National Armys current strength stands at 134,000. NATO ministers sought to allay concerns about Obamas announcement on Tuesday of a July 2011 target for the beginning of a drawdown of US and other international forces as Afghan forces take over more responsibility for the countys security. Transition does not mean exit. There should be no misunderstanding, said Fogh Rasmussen. We are not going to leave Afghanistan to fall back into the hands of terrorists and extremists ... It will not be a run for the exit.     Brandon Jacobs Super Bowl Jersey . The second-year forward has seven goals in his last four games, including one in the Thrashers 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Deion Branch Youth Jersey . Juan Pierre ended 2-for-5 and scored twice for the White Sox, who despite taking the series havent put together a win streak this season of more than three games. Freddy Garcia (1-2) was knocked around for 10 hits, but allowed just two runs with no walks in six innings for the win. Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey Women . Koivu and the Anaheim Ducks havent helped their cause for inclusion in the playoffs with their performance following the Olympic break. Theyll have a chance to improve those chances with a critical seven-game homestand that starts up with tonights clash with the Canadiens. Blue Hakeem Nicks Jersey . Related readings: Japan must look beyond its internal problems Japan needs to draw lesson on seizure of Chinese trawler, fishermen 3 Japanese intruding China military zone released Japanese?man throws flare at Chinese consulate Jiangs comment came in response to new Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maeharas criticism of China on Wednesday over an incident in waters off the Diaoyu Islands involving a Chinese trawler and two Japanese coast guard vessels. Tom Brady Youth Jersey . Patrick Sharp, Viktor Stalberg and Jake Dowell each had a goal for the Blackhawks, who snapped a two-game skid. Its not always about being perfect.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills signed tight end David Martin and claimed guard Kraig Urbik off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Martin is an eight-year NFL veteran who was signed Sunday, a day after having his contract terminated by the Dolphins. The Bills, who open the season against Miami on Sept. 12, were in need to add an experienced tight end to an injury- and suspension-depleted position. Martin joins Jonathan Stupar as the only other tight end on the active roster. The Bills will be without projected starter Shawn Nelson, who opens the season serving an NFL-imposed four-game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Buffalo lost three tight ends to injuries this summer, including former starter Derek Schouman who was waived/injured Saturday after hurting his knee two weeks ago. To make room for Martin, thee Bills released tight end J. Victor Cruz Jersey. P. Foschi, a six-year NFL journeyman who was signed as an injury-replacement two weeks ago. Martin missed last season with a knee injury after playing the previous two years with Miami. He spent his first six NFL seasons with Green Bay, and has 152 catches for 1,519 yards and 14 touchdowns in 101 career games, including 43 starts. Urbik, a 2009 third-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, was inactive for all 16 games with the Steelers last season. He was released by Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Bills added Urbik by releasing defensive back Dominique Harris, an undrafted rookie. Buffalo also signed four players to its practice squad: running backs Joique Bell and Rodney Ferguson, receiver Naaman Roosevelt and tackle Jason Watkins. All four return after being cut by the team a day earlier. ' ' '