Gates makes unexpected stop in Iraq

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Thursday morning to meet with top Iraqi leaders about the state's upcoming elections.

His trip -- an unexpected stop during the secretary's jaunt to Afghanistan this week -- arrives on the heels of a series of attacks in Iraq that together have left more than 100 dead.

While the Pentagon said this morning the secretary had planned his trip before the recent spate of deadly bombings, Gates will offer condolences this morning to the victims and their families, according to the Associated Press.

But on the top of Gates' agenda Thursday will be a series of meetings with Iraq's leadership, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Maliki and his country's parliamentary leaders this month finally settled on March 7 as a date for national elections. Those contests are crucial, as the U.S. military's quick drawdown strategy depends heavily on whether Iraqi leaders are able to elect new officials and transition them into power safely and seamlessly.

Gates will reportedly stress the importance of that transition during his meetings today, the Pentagon's spokesman said Thursday.

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