The Public Record
Robert Gates is a prominent Republican figure from Texas, known for his extensive career in public service and academia. He served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011 under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Gates played a crucial role in shaping U.S. military policy during the Iraq War and the early years of the Afghanistan War, advocating for a focus on counterinsurgency operations and the need for military reform. He has also held positions as the president of Texas A&M University and as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Gates is recognized for his pragmatic approach to defense and national security issues, often emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation in governance. In recent public statements, he has expressed concerns about the use of continuing resolutions in government budgeting, highlighting the need for more stable fiscal policies.
I've ordered a 45-day review with three areas of emphasis. First, to find possible gaps or deficiencies and Defense Department programs, processes and procedures for identifying service members who could potentially pose credible threats…
I have ordered a 45-day review with three areas of emphasis, first, to find possible gaps or deficiencies in Defense Department programs, processes and procedures for identifying service members who could potentially pose credible threats…
The bill would undermine our ability to protect national security information and intelligence sources and methods and could seriously impede investigations of unauthorized disclosures.
We're not just going to sit on our hands, waiting for the outcome of this election and for the emergence of a government in Kabul.
It's clear in the aftermath of the election that there are some fairly deep fissures in Iranian society and politics and--and probably even in the leadership . . . [T]his is one of the reasons why I think additional and especially severe…
And the reality is that, because of our inability and the inability, frankly, of our allies to put enough troops into Afghanistan, the Taliban do have the momentum right now, it seems.
Absolutely not. The minute the president makes his decisions, we will get General McChrystal back here as quickly as possible and up on to the Hill, because, I will tell you, there is no one more knowledgeable and more persuasive on these…
And the reality is that because of our inability and the inability frankly of our allies to put enough troops into Afghanistan, now the Taliban do have the momentum right now, it seems.
To be blunt, there is absolutely no way we can maintain a credible deterrent and reduce the number of weapons in our stockpile without either resorting to testing our stockpile or pursuing a modernization program.
The U.S. is experiencing serious brain drain in the loss of veteran nuclear weapons designers and technicians.
The Pentagon is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates may send as many as 3,000 additional troops to clean up the country's deadly roadside bombs.
The Pentagon is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates may send as many as 3,000 additional troops to clean up the country's deadly roadside bombs.
The Pentagon is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates may send as many as 3,000 additional troops to clean up the country's deadly roadside bombs.
looking for ways to make the 'don't ask don't tell' policy, quote, 'more humane' so some gays and lesbians could still serve in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates looking for ways to make the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy to be, quote, 'more humane' so some gays and lesbians could still serve in the U.S. military.
The United States has positioned more missile defenses around Hawaii as precaution against a possible North Korean launch.
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.
In all, we have to be prepared for the wars we are most likely to fight, not just the wars we've traditionally been best suited to fight or threats we conjure up from potential adversaries who also have limited resources.
The United States will be very open and transparent about these contacts, and we will keep our friends informed of what is going on so nobody gets surprised.
If the preliminary reports are confirmed, such a tragic loss of life at the hands of our own forces is a cause for great and urgent concern. And I can assure you that it will get this department's highest priority attention.
Only Congress can decide what is to be the will of the American people going forward.
I fully expect to have 535 pieces of legislation before this is over, saying, 'Not in my district. Not in my State.'
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