Robert Gates
Ten years on, Iraq haunts US response to Syria, Iran
Mar 14, 2013 11:44 EDT
Ten years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the searing memory of what became a deeply unpopular war has made Washington policy makers reluctant to use even limited force in Syria or Iran.
Special drone court needed as check: Gates
Feb 10, 2013 10:44 EST
Former US defense secretary Robert Gates on Sunday endorsed the idea of having a special court review drone strikes as a check against a president's power to, in effect, execute Americans.
US veterans secretary sits out inauguration
Jan 21, 2013 11:48 EST
US Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki stayed away from President Barack Obama's second inauguration on Monday as a standard precaution in case of a catastrophe, the White House said.
Obama sends message with new cabinet
Jan 18, 2013 10:16 EST
A dearth of diversity in Barack Obama's top picks for his new cabinet is overshadowing signs of intent the US president is sending with his freshened team ahead of his second term.
US reviews ethics, entourage for top brass
Dec 07, 2012 17:05 EST
The US military plans to examine whether senior officers need all the aides and advisers currently assigned to them as it seeks to shore up professional ethics among the top brass.
Who will be on Obama's new dream team?
Nov 13, 2012 23:15 EST
A week after winning re-election President Barack Obama has yet to reveal his new White House dream team amid fierce jostling for coveted posts key to shaping America's foreign and defense policy.
Who will be in Obama's new dream team?
Nov 13, 2012 15:18 EST
A week after winning reelection President Barack Obama has yet to reveal his new White House dream team amid fierce jostling for coveted posts key to shaping America's foreign and defense policy.
Have America's generals lost their way?
Nov 13, 2012 10:03 EST
The sex scandal that punctured the image of America's most admired general, David Petraeus, is just the latest in a litany of cases of misconduct plaguing the US top brass, raising questions about a military often isolated from the rest of civilian society.
Chinese sub-launched nuclear deterrent at hand-report
Nov 09, 2012 13:56 EST
For the first time China is close to reaching a "credible" nuclear deterrent based on land-based, submarine-launched and air-dropped nuclear weapons, a draft US report warned Friday.
Obama mulls new cabinet picks
Nov 08, 2012 18:09 EST
US President Barack Obama, fresh from re-election and facing a new clash with Congress, got back to work Thursday, with an important item on his to-do list -- stocking his new cabinet.
Being Pentagon chief had its downsides: Gates
Oct 29, 2012 17:46 EDT
Former US defense secretary Robert Gates joked Monday about the downsides of his old job, including enduring interminable NATO meetings and price gouging over a Central Asian air base.
US plans to help Libya build commando force
Oct 16, 2012 13:02 EDT
The United States plans to help Libya build a commando force to fight extremists like those that staged the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, officials said Tuesday.
US hails war vehicle that saved lives, bypassed bureaucracy
Oct 01, 2012 17:38 EDT
US defense officials on Monday congratulated themselves on an armored vehicle that helped protect American troops but acknowledged the program succeeded in spite of the Pentagon's own entrenched bureaucracy.
The MRAP: Pentagon praises life-saving war vehicle
Oct 01, 2012 17:12 EDT
US defense officials on Monday congratulated themselves on an armored vehicle that helped protect American troops but acknowledged the program succeeded in spite of the Pentagon's own entrenched bureaucracy.
US military chief asks pastor to reject inflammatory film
Sep 12, 2012 17:31 EDT
The US military's top officer has urged a controversial Christian pastor to disavow a film that has ignited violent protests over its portrayal of the Islamic faith, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Ex-US commander McChrystal calls for reviving draft
Jul 10, 2012 13:19 EDT
The former US commander in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal, has urged that the draft be reinstated to spread the burden of fighting and to instill a sense of shared civic duty among young Americans.
Rumsfeld says bin Laden killing not 'gutsy' call
May 31, 2012 14:51 EDT
Former US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld has scoffed at praise for President Barack Obama for ordering the killing of Osama bin Laden, saying he would have recommended the operation in a minute.
China's defense chief at Pentagon amid diplomatic row
May 07, 2012 21:47 EDT
US and Chinese defense chiefs pledged to work together on cyber threats and forge a dialogue on security as both sides steered clear of a diplomatic dispute over a top Chinese dissident.
China's defense chief visits Pentagon amid diplomatic row
May 07, 2012 16:52 EDT
The Pentagon hosted China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Monday in a bid to boost military ties as the United States tried to contain the fallout from a diplomatic dispute over a top Chinese dissident.
US commander: China friction ebbing
Feb 28, 2012 13:41 EST
A US commander said Tuesday that China has entered fewer confrontations with neighbors, crediting a firm line by Washington and its allies with persuading Beijing to take a more "thoughtful" approach.
Facts from the Wikipedia page:
| Robert Michael Gates | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 18, 2006 | |
| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Gordon England (2006-2009) William J. Lynn III (since 2009) |
| Preceded by | Donald Rumsfeld |
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| In office November 6, 1991 – January 20, 1993 | |
| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Richard James Kerr William Oliver Studeman |
| Preceded by | William Webster |
| Succeeded by | James Woolsey |
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| In office April 1986 – March 1989 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | John McMahon |
| Succeeded by | Richard James Kerr |
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| In office 1989 – 1991 | |
| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | John Negroponte |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Howe |
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| Born | September 25, 1943 Wichita, Kansas |
| Political party | Republican[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Becky Gates |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University (Ph.D.) Indiana University (M.A.) College of William & Mary (B.A.) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1967 – 1969 |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
