Dec 1st, 2008 · President-elect Barack Obama appointed former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton to his national security team on Monday. He also announced that Bush appointee Robert Gates will remain as Secretary of Defense. What do Obama's picks reveal about his global priorities?
Aug 3rd, 2007 · The Secretary of Defense acknowledged for the first time that the Bush administration might have misjudged the ability of Iraq's political leaders to bring about political reconciliation. It's a stark contrast to the administration's insistence that the "surge" will facilitate reconciliation.
Dec 18th, 2006 · Robert Gates begins work today as the nation's new Secretary of Defense, saying that Iraq is his top priority, and that failure there would haunt the U.S. for decades to come. Gates says he will travel to Iraq soon to hear the views of U.S. commanders on how to improve the situation.
Dec 6th, 2006 · Despite deep differences over how to proceed in Iraq, the Senate gives its unanimous approval for Robert Gates to take over the reins at the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld. President Bush's second Secretary of Defense is taking office at a time of uncertainty over what will happen next in the war.
Dec 6th, 2006 · Former Secretary of the Army Togo D. West, Jr., offers his views on the much-anticipated Iraq Study Group report and on Robert Gates, the man designated to succeed Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense.
Dec 6th, 2006 · The full U.S. Senate may vote as soon as Wednesday on the nomination of Robert Gates to be the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. The vote comes after the Committee on Armed Services unanimously approved Gates' nomination. The former CIA director told senators that the United States was not winning the war in Iraq.
Dec 6th, 2006 · Defense nominee Robert Gates was questioned by the 24 senators of the Committee on Armed Services over his nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Defense. The committee members freely endorsed Gates' nomination.
Dec 5th, 2006 · Confirmation hearings begin Tuesday for Robert Gates, nominated to be the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. When he was nominated to succeed Donald Rumsfeld, many greeted the news with a sigh of relief. The hearings are expected to focus on Iraq. But questions remain from Gates' tenure at the CIA. David Welna reports.