Robert Gates actually said...

I acknowledge that I am preoccupied with avoiding mission creep and avoiding having an open-ended, very large-scale American commitment.

Gates emphasizes the need to avoid prolonged military commitments.

03/30/2011

More Robert Gates Quotes

We are committed to the long-term success of Afghanistan and Iraq as stable states that can govern and secure themselves.

The new system poses no threat to Russia.

I will preserve a position of advantage by maintaining and enhancing the current midcourse defense capability.

In February 2010, Romania agreed to host the land-based SM-3 Southern Europe site planned for deployment in Phase 2 (2015 timeframe).