Robert Gates actually said...

I believe that the civilian casualties are doing us enormous harm in Afghanistan, and we have to do better in terms of avoiding casualties.

Gates emphasizes the negative impact of civilian casualties on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.

01/26/2009

More Robert Gates Quotes

I think that, here again, there may be some parallels with Iraq.

We will not repeat the mistake--and we must not repeat the mistake--of 1989 and turn our backs on these folks.

How do we refine and narrow the mission to make it achievable, and achieve the objectives, in terms of our own security?

What is essential for our national security is that we have two long-term partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan.