Robert Gates

Recognizing the strain that post-September 11 wars have put on so many troops and their families, the department will spend more than $2 billion for wounded warrior initiatives, with a special focus on the signature ailments of current…

I think that having a relationship where we can talk about things that are really potentially dangerous in our relationship has all kinds of merit.

It is unacceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons, and we are proceeding on that basis.

We are very concerned, Mr. Chairman. The growing capability of the Chinese with anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles is a real concern for our Navy and for us.

the Department of Defense cannot come to America's elected representatives and ask for budget increases each year unless we have done a better job--indeed, done everything possible--to make every dollar count.

I suspect that that is the way it will happen in Afghanistan as well.

the decision on Taiwan arms sales is fundamentally a political decision.

A Middle East peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians would enhance our diplomatic and other efforts in the region.

We should be able to secure our nation with a base budget of more than half a trillion dollars.

I believe deeply that it helped avoid miscalculations and misunderstandings.

I am cautioned to say the Iraq war is ending, not has ended.

if the supplemental is not enacted by the July 4th congressional recess, we will have to begin planning to curtail defense operations.

I think that the war in Afghanistan will end much as the war in Iraq has ended.

I strongly urge Congress to complete its work on the request as quickly as possible.

the election trajectory in Iraq is basically going pretty much as had been predicted.

It is simply not reasonable to expect the defense budget to continue increasing at the same rate it has over the last number of years.

we are opposed to the independence of Taiwan.

Each defense budget decision is zero sum, providing money for one program will take money away from another.

The Army also must confront the reality that the most plausible, high-end scenarios for the U.S. military are primarily naval and air engagements--whether in Asia, the Persian Gulf, or elsewhere . . . But in my opinion, any future defense…

We would like to have a competition . . . and we hope that both companies will agree to participate.

We have to have new tankers. We hope very much that there will be a real competition.

The Department is committed to delivering the most affordable, supportable, lethal and survivable F-35 aircraft that meets the needs of the warfighter.

I would say that what we've gotten for a half billion dollars is an unpronounceable acronym.

I believe that the New START Treaty allows the United States to maintain an effective nuclear deterrent.

I think that it is clearly something we need to address.