Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had his famous rules, a written roster of commands about how to deal with Washington, including such pearls as “It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.” Robert Gates — his successor in the Bush Administration and, as of this week, the Obama Administration — doesn’t have a list of rules. Those who only see his serious pronouncements about the nation’s wars might even get the impression that Gates doesn’t have a personality
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Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan to be replaced
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to announce Monday afternoon that he is replacing Gen. David McKiernan as the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan with Lt
Gates says Taliban have momentum in Afghanistan
The Taliban in Afghanistan have momentum that makes any effort to negotiate with them difficult, the U.S. defense secretary said. Secretary Robert Gates spoke to CNN’s Chris Lawrence in an exclusive interview Tuesday evening before leaving for Afghanistan, where he is visiting troops and bases Wednesday
U.S. still open on Iran, Gates says
Though discouraged by Iran’s moves since the Obama administration extended its "open hand," the United States is "not willing to pull the hand back yet," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
Gates: U.S. fighting ‘tough test’ to oust Taliban
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged Friday that the United States is facing a "very tough test" in fighting to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Kyrgyztan parliament votes to close key U.S. base
Kyrgyzstan parliament has voted to close a base the U.S. military uses as a route for troops and supplies heading into Afghanistan, a government spokesman said Thursday
Robert Gates: Taming the System
If you are a firm believer in the war in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ grim assessment last month of what lies in store for the U.S. might have made you shudder.
Gates: Obama to decide on Afghanistan troops in ‘days’
President Barack Obama will likely make a decision on sending additional troops to Afghanistan "in the course of the next few days," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.