Defense Secretary Gates

Slogging Towards Repeal

Aubrey Sarvis | Posted 09.06.2009 | Politics


Aubrey Sarvis

The nation's armed forces are stretched thin, very thin. Repeal of DADT is a national security issue, first and last.

But Am I Safer, Mr. Secretary?

Kerry Eleveld | Posted 08.07.2009 | Politics


Kerry Eleveld

With all due respect, Mr. Secretary, the next time you're mulling the ouster of gay service members, skip the paternalism and just tell us whether we're safer.

Gates: It Would Be Tough To Ask For More Troops In Afghanistan

AP | Posted 06.01.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says it would be difficult to request more U.S. troops in Afghanistan in six to 12 months. "It woul...

"Poor Mexico, So Far From God, So Close To The United States"

Sandy Goodman | Posted 04.01.2009 | World


Sandy Goodman

If, like me, you're one of the millions of Americans who love Mexico, its current catastrophic crime wave can only fill you with sadness -- and fear that it will spread across our porous border.

Defense Secretary Gates Undergoes Surgery From Snowplow Injury

Reuters | Posted 02.23.2009 | Politics


Defense Secretary Robert Gates underwent surgery on his arm on Friday and expects to be back at work next week, the Pentagon said. Surgeons repaired ...

Obama To Meet With War Council On First Full Day

AP | ROBERT BURNS | Posted 02.20.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's promise to end the war in Iraq will be on the agenda Wednesday when the new commander in chief meets with ...

Change Out at Defense

Zoë Baird and Alec Gewirtz | Posted 01.15.2009 | Politics


Zoë Baird and Alec Gewirtz

In a sport Obama loves, there is an analogy which captures the changes needed at the Department of Defense. For DOD to equip itself for 21st century threats it needs to learn to be both the big man and the point guard.

Gates Warns Foreign Powers Against "Testing" Obama

New York Times | ELISABETH BUMILLER | Posted 01.13.2009 | Politics


Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned Saturday that foreign powers should not try to "test" President-elect Barack Obama with a crisis in his first...

Gates Outlines Pentagon Reform, New Strategies

The Huffington Post | Posted 01.04.2009 | Politics


In a long article in Foreign Affairs' January/February 2009 issue, Defense Secretary Robert Gates outlines his vision for the next Pentagon. Called "A...

Afghanistan Spawns Tensions With Allies

AP | ROBERT BURNS | Posted 03.28.2008 | Politics


VILNIUS, Lithuania — As the stakes in Afghanistan grow, so do tensions between the United States and the European allies the U.S. empowered more...

Defense Sec Gates: "I Don't Know" If Iraq War Was Right Thing To Do

ABC News | JONATHAN KARL | Posted 03.28.2008 | Home


It's been an article of faith for the Bush administration that the invasion of Iraq was the right thing to do. However, the man now in charge of runn...