WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today an Afghan assessment due soon from commanding Gen. Stanley McChrystal won't contain any specific recommendations for increases in troops.

At a Pentagon news conference today, Gates called the current situation in Afghanistan "a mixed picture," and he acknowledged that the Taliban has established a presence.

The Obama administration expects the latest assessment of ground conditions from McChrystal some time between Afghanistan's Aug. 20 presidential election and a NATO meeting scheduled for September, he said.

Gates said it is essential that U.S. and NATO troops help the Afghan government become secure enough to protect people from intimidation and retribution by Taliban forces.

Gates said he thinks "we have done some real damage over time" to the al-Qaida terrorist network and its allies, but that it remains a threat.

On Afghanistan, the secretary said the United States still is working to avoid civilian casualties and said he believes "the rules of engagement that Lt. Gen. McChrystal has put in are making a real difference."