Report: Gates favors more troops in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is leaning toward sending more troops to Afghanistan per Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request, CNN reported Friday morning.

Defense and administration officials told CNN that Gates is becoming convinced that additional troops are necessary to execute a successful counterinsurgency strategy.

The officials, CNN said, repeatedly said that Gates does not necessarily favor sending all of the extra troops. McChrystal is believed to have requested around 40,000 troops in his report filed with the Pentagon.

President Barack Obama met with McChrystal for 25 minutes aboard Air Force One during his trip to Copenhagen to promote Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid.

The Obama administration has stressed that it is going to take time to re-assess the strategic mission in Afghanistan before making a decision on troops levels.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen also echoed McChrystal's call for more troops before Congress last week.