Robert Gates: “We are committed to the long-term success of Afghanistan and Iraq as stable states that can govern and secure…”

Development is a lot cheaper than sending soldiers.

I think the only thing I would've said is that a lot of this could've been done sooner.

the only way I could get significant new or additional equipment to commanders in the field in weeks or months--not years--was to take control of the problem myself through special task forces and ad hoc processes.

it's a terrible way to budget. I mean, it is a gimmick.