BeltwayBlips - Latest Robert Gates News Articles

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption (AP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:38:15 +0000

AP - The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

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U.S. to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:42:15 +0000

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The United States must tighten control of Afghan development contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

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Pentagon launches new probe of Fort Hood shootings (McClatchy Newspapers)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced Thursday that he's appointed two former heads of the Army and the Navy to review what happened at Fort Hood, amid questions about whether political correctness and a shortage of mental health professionals drove the military to keep Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan in the Army longer than it should have.

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Gates says Iraq withdrawal on schedule (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:29:47 +0000

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings that politics could push back Iraqi elections scheduled for January aren't affecting his plans for a troop withdrawal now.

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Gates launches Pentagon review of Fort Hood killings

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:17:09 +0000

Washington (CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday announced a 45-day review of military policies in response to the Fort Hood killings, telling reporters the November 5 massacre raised questions that "demand complete but prompt answers." The review will examine whether Pentagon policies fall short in identifying service members who pose "credible threats to others," or in personnel screening programs and security and emergency response at U.S. bases. Gates said the investigation won't ease the pain of the families of the 13 people killed, but said the Pentagon must do "everything in our power to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future." "In all of these, I promise the Department of Defense's full and open disclosure," he said.

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Gates names West, Clark to lead Fort Hood review (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:22:54 +0000

AP - Trying to avert another tragedy like the Fort Hood shootings, Defense Secretary Robert Gates named a former Army secretary and former Navy chief to review a broad range of Pentagon programs, ranging from medical and personnel policies to how well military bases are secured.

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Pentagon to Probe Fort Hood Shootings

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:14:42 +0000

Defense Secretary Robert Gates chose former Army Secretary Togo West and former Navy chief Vernon Clark to lead a broad Pentagon review of the circumstances surrounding the Fort Hood shootings.

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Pentagon review expected in wake of Fort Hood

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:54:11 +0000

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is expected to announce a sweeping review of military procedures and policies that could help avoid another Fort Hood-type incident, a senior Pentagon official has confirmed to CNN.

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AP source: Ex-official to head Fort Hood review (AP)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:29:43 +0000

AP - The Associated Press has learned new details about the upcoming broad Pentagon review of the circumstances surrounding the Fort Hood shootings, which Defense Secretary Robert Gates will announce Thursday.

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Gates Blocks Photographs of Prisoners

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:22:03 +0000

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has blocked the release of more photographs of detainees abused by American captors, saying their release would endanger American soldiers.

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Gates blocks release of detainee abuse photos (AP)

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:18:54 +0000

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has blocked the public release of any more pictures of foreign detainees abused by their U.S. captors, saying their release would endanger American soldiers.

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Gates blocks release of abuse pictures

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:54:28 +0000

Gates files notice that will likely block release of photos depicting abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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U.S. commitment to Afghanistan not open-ended: Gates

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:54:03 +0000

OSHKOSH, Wisc. (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, currently under presidential review, was not open-ended, putting more pressure on Kabul to improve security and fight corruption.

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Gates Condemns Leaks on U.S. Afghan Policy and Ft. Hood

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:34:05 +0000

The defense secretary said disclosing unauthorized information would be a career-ender in his department and said: “Everybody ought to just shut up.”

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Gates to lead 6-month push against roadside bombs (AP)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:36:25 +0000

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday he will lead an intensive push for new ways to defuse the threat from homemade bombs, the crude ambush weapons that account for eight in 10 casualties in Afghanistan.

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Gates to lead 6-month push against roadside bombs (AP)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:28:55 +0000

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Pentagon: Six-month push against roadside bombs (AP)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:44:18 +0000

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U.S. commitment to Afghanistan not open-ended: Gates

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:11:40 +0000

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Gates inspects new armored trucks for Afghan war (AP)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:40:11 +0000

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says armored transport trucks that protect soldiers from roadside bombs are worth every dime spent on them.

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Gates: Obama picking best ideas among many options (AP)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:32:10 +0000

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says President Barack Obama wants to take the best elements from several options presented to him for the next steps in Afghanistan.

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Gates praises Reagan for 'circumspect' use of U.S. military

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:10:24 +0000

Embedded video from CNN Video WASHINGTON (CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised President Ronald Reagan on Tuesday for being "circumspect" about putting American credibility or troops at risk in the absence of "a clear mission or strong odds of success." Gates said Reagan "understood that erasing the impression of U.S. political and military weakness would ultimately reap diplomatic rewards and strategic breakthroughs." Reagan's "willingness to use American power was a lesson that others would learn as well," Gates said at a Library of Congress event honoring Reagan's contribution to the fall of the Berlin Wall. "But President Reagan was circumspect about putting or keeping America's troops and America's credibility at risk without a clear mission or strong odds of success." He wisely avoided a "direct and potentially catastrophic military conflict with the U.S.S.R.," Gates said. Instead, the president "expanded the containment playbook far beyond Europe and took the fight ...

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Gates: "America's family is in mourning" over Fort Hood

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:46:31 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The investigation into last week's shooting rampage at Fort Hood will be a "thorough accounting," Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged. "The president and I are committed to a thorough accounting of what happened, and to seeing that the shooting victims and their families have everything they need to recover from this ordeal," Gates said Tuesday at a Library of Congress event honoring President Ronald Reagan's contribution to the fall of the Berlin Wall. "Tomorrow is Veterans Day, when we paused to remember the contributions and the sacrifices of all who have worn America's uniform," Gates said, adding that "America's family remains in mourning" over last week's rampage. He called for a moment of silence "for those so ruthlessly attacked at Fort Hood last week, and their families, and out of gratitude (for) veterans who have served in defense of their country." He participated in a memorial service Tuesday at Fort Hood, honoring the 13 who died during the rampage, ...

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Gates: 'America's family is in mourning' over Fort Hood

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:46:31 +0000

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Gates praises Reagan for 'circumspect' use of U.S. military

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:44:24 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised President Ronald Reagan on Tuesday for being "circumspect" about putting American credibility or troops at risk in the absence of "a clear mission or strong odds of success." Gates said Reagan "understood that erasing the impression of U.S. political and military weakness would ultimately reap diplomatic rewards and strategic breakthroughs." Reagan's "willingness to use American power was a lesson that others would learn as well," Gates said at a Library of Congress event honoring Reagan's contribution to the fall of the Berlin Wall. "But President Reagan was circumspect about putting or keeping America's troops and America's credibility at risk without a clear mission or strong odds of success." He wisely avoided a "direct and potentially catastrophic military conflict with the U.S.S.R.," Gates said. Instead, the president "expanded the containment playbook far beyond Europe and took the fight to the enemy worldwide. From ...

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Former Gates' exec named foreign aid chief (AP)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:42:48 +0000

AP - The Obama administration nominated a young former executive with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to run the nation's top foreign assistance program Tuesday, ending months of speculation and complaints about who would take the vacant post.

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Ex-Gates Foundation exec named foreign aid chief (AP)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:54:38 +0000

AP - The Obama administration will nominate a young former executive with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to run America's top foreign assistance program, ending months of speculation and complaints about who would take the vacant post, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

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Gates Foundation exec tapped as foreign aid chief (AP)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:21:24 +0000

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