The head of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that Americans should set aside any doubts they had about the commitment of other NATO members to the war in Afghanistan. In his first speech in the US as secretary-general, Mr Rasmussen told the think-tank, the Atlantic Council that the campaign in Afghanistan was one of necessity, not choice. <br/>The speech comes after the top U.S and NATO Commander in Afghanistan warned of likely failure without more troops. Mr Rasmussen pointed out that 40 per cent of the NATO troops involved in the operation were from non-US countries and that soldiers from more than 20 countries had been killed. Mr Rasmussen also said the training programme for Afghan forces needs to be stepped up. <br/> Despite the request for more troops by military commander Gen Stanley McChrystal, US President Barack Obama says he will not decide until after a strategy review. The Netherlands and Canada have already set 2010 and 2011 as deadlines for withdrawal and Italy has announced plans for a strong reduction in its forces. <br/>