Defense Secretary Robert Gates is laying out a broad new strategy for the Afghanistan war to NATO allies Thursday, and he is calling for improved reconstruction and economic aid along with an intensive plan to target Taliban-linked drug lords.

Gates says he believes there is broad agreement among NATO nations to extend their commitments to Afghanistan. But it will be difficult to persuade allies to take up an intensive anti-narcotics campaign.

Gates says the argument he will make later Thursday to a meeting of NATO defense ministers is that going after drug lords and laboratories can interrupt the flow of cash to the Taliban and thus help improve security.