Iraq, Afghanistan on menu in US-UK talks

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in London Thursday for talks expected to include Britain's latest plans to pull troops out of Iraq and calls to beef up forces in Afghanistan.
The simmering nuclear standoff with Iran could also be on the menu during the six-hour stopover en route for Moscow, where Gates faces likely tough talks with Russian authorities.
Gates and his opposite number Des Browne were due to give a press conference after their talks at noon (1100 GMT), before the US defence chief meets Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He then heads to the Russian capital in the afternoon.
Brown announced earlier this week that London hopes to cut its troop levels in southern Iraq by more than half from early next year, to 2,500.