OPINION: The Case For Keeping Gates

With the intention behind the administration’s drawdown date for Afghanistan becoming increasingly hard to pin down, it’s not unreasonable to theorize that the U.S. could have a significant stake in the nation for the remainder of Obama’s presidency. Bearing this in mind, it would be wise to keep the waters as calm as possible. Getting a new defense secretary will not do this.

Robert Gates is the perfect secretary for the perfect time, simply because of the lack of passion he generates. As the most prominent Republican in Obama’s cabinet, he’s not under any particular scrutiny from those on the right hoping to win political points. Democrats, who still harbor fresh memories of the clown who preceded him, are also generally accepting of the Bush appointee. As a result, Gates is free to oversee the country’s two wars and spearhead massive reform efforts, all with a minimum of partisan white noise.

Read more at the Daily Caller.

Gates: Leaked Documents Could Have Grave Consequences

Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Thursday that the recent release of thousands of classified military documents on the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks could put the lives of U.S. servicemen and their collaborators in jeopardy.

“The battlefield consequences of the release of these documents are potentially severe and dangerous for our troops, our allies and Afghan partners,” Gates told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon. 

Gates characterized the revelation of hundreds of Afghan informants, whose names are included in the documents, as “one of the worst aspects” of the scandal.

“I’ve spent most of my life in the intelligence business where the sacrosanct principle is protecting your sources,” Gates, who served as CIA Director under George Bush Sr., said. “As a result of this massive breach of security, we have considerable repair work to do in terms of reassuring people and rebuilding trust.”

Gates pledged to aggressively investigate the leak and, if possible, prosecute the responsible party, adding that he has requested the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. When asked by a reporter if the Defense Department has spoken with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Gates simply said that he was not sure.

“I’m not sure why we would,” Gates added. “Do you think he would tell us the truth?”

US and South Korea to Hold Large Scale Naval Excercise

The United States and South Korea are set to hold a massive naval excersise in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea on July 25, in wake of high level diplomatic meetings in Seoul involving Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who announced more sanctions against North Korea, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.  The large scale war games are directed at North Korea in wake of the sinking of a South Korean ship, the Cheonan, but also have drawn a negative response from China.

By Philip Bunnell



Pentagon Needs War Funding By July 4, Says Gates

By Robert Hune-Kalter
Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the military may soon have to resort to doing “stupid things” unless Congress passes a $33 supplemental spending request.

The Senate already approved a measure, but the version in the House has stalled. With funding for the Navy and Marine Corps set to dry up next month, Gates called on the lower chamber to get its act together.

“We begin to have to do stupid things if the supplemental is not passed by July 4,” he said.

Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also defended the DOD’s budget request for 2011.

“These budget requests reflect America’s commitment to see that our forces have the tools they need to prevail in the wars we are in, and while making the investments necessary to prepare for threats on or beyond the horizon,” said Gates.

DOD is requesting $549 billion dollars for 2011. Gates discussed major priorities of the department and named areas that have been terminated or completed from the 2010 budget. There was discussion on the completion of the C-17 Globemaster and foreseeable closure of the production line.

“I question why it is in our nation’s interest to close the only active production line for long range air lifters when there is no replacement being developed,” said Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.)

Mullen said that based on extensive studies, the requirement for the C-17 is not needed beyond the 223 currently in service. He stressed the importance of balance between the advancement of all aspects of the military.

“We must maintain our conventional advantages,” said Mullen. “It means never having to fight a fair fight.”

Gates: Toned-Down Nuclear Policies Do Not Apply To Iran, North Korea

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that a set of new policies designed to downplay the strategic role of nuclear weapons will not prevent the U.S. from using nuclear force against Iran and North Korea if necessary.

“The [new policies have] a very strong message for both Iran and North Korea,” Gates told reporters.

Gates explained that the new guidelines, introduced in the Defense Department’s Nuclear Posture Review, apply only to the 189 nations that have signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Neither Iran or North Korea are signatories.

“All options are on the table for countries in that category along with non state actors who might acquire nuclear weapons,” Gates stated.

Under the new guidelines, the U.S. nuclear stockpile will primarily be used as a deterrent against nuclear attacks alone. The U.S. will be restricted from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear armed nations that have signed the NPT, even if said nations launch a biological or chemical attack.

However, Gates noted that this new restriction is not set in stone.

“The United States reserves the right to make any adjustment t to this policy that may be warranted by the evolution or proliferation of biological weapons,” Gates warned.

The Nuclear Posture Review also states that the U.S. will not test nuclear weapons or develop new nuclear warheads.