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For the first time, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is outlining potential Obama administration plans to enforce the "don't ask, don't tell" rule selectively so that some gays could serve in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday the United States could defend itself against a missile should the North Koreans launch one toward Hawaii.
With two wars weighing on him and troops on the line, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recognizes the gravity of a job he doesn't particularly enjoy.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday defended his decision to shift budget funds to support weapons the U.S. military is using in Iraq and Afghanistan and away from research and weapons that may be used in future conflicts.
Though discouraged by Iran's moves since the Obama administration extended its "open hand," the United States is "not willing to pull the hand back yet," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Cairo on Monday to begin a trip he hopes will allay Middle East countries' concerns about U.S. talks with Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that a military strike on Iran's nuclear program would not stop that country from pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged Monday that proposed 2010 Pentagon budget cuts are likely to run into significant opposition on Capitol Hill, where politicians are concerned about preserving valuable defense contracts for their districts and states.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a 2010 Pentagon budget Monday that reflects major changes in the "scope and significance" of Defense Department priorities.
A North Korean rocket slated for launch sometime early next month can be clearly seen in a satellite photograph taken Sunday, the Institute for Science and International Security said Sunday.
For the first time, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is outlining potential Obama administration plans to enforce the "don't ask, don't tell" rule selectively so that some gays could serve in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday the United States could defend itself against a missile should the North Koreans launch one toward Hawaii.
With two wars weighing on him and troops on the line, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recognizes the gravity of a job he doesn't particularly enjoy.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday defended his decision to shift budget funds to support weapons the U.S. military is using in Iraq and Afghanistan and away from research and weapons that may be used in future conflicts.
Though discouraged by Iran's moves since the Obama administration extended its "open hand," the United States is "not willing to pull the hand back yet," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Cairo on Monday to begin a trip he hopes will allay Middle East countries' concerns about U.S. talks with Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that a military strike on Iran's nuclear program would not stop that country from pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged Monday that proposed 2010 Pentagon budget cuts are likely to run into significant opposition on Capitol Hill, where politicians are concerned about preserving valuable defense contracts for their districts and states.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a 2010 Pentagon budget Monday that reflects major changes in the "scope and significance" of Defense Department priorities.
A North Korean rocket slated for launch sometime early next month can be clearly seen in a satellite photograph taken Sunday, the Institute for Science and International Security said Sunday.
A North Korean rocket slated for launch sometime early next month can be clearly seen in a satellite photograph taken Sunday.
The military will phase out its "stop-loss" program, the contentious practice of holding troops beyond the end of their enlistments, for all but extraordinary situations, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Wednesday.
The "most worrisome" part of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan has become the havens the Taliban and other insurgents have carved out in neighboring Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.
The Pentagon will lift its ban on media coverage of the flag-draped coffins of war victims arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is requiring officials working out the details of the next fiscal year's defense budget to keep their discussions "secret" and he's gone the extra step to ensure the secrecy.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged Friday that the United States is facing a "very tough test" in fighting to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates will brief President Obama on Monday afternoon about specific plans for adding 15,000 troops to Afghanistan.
Closing the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility is necessary and President Barack Obama's decision to set a one-year deadline on doing so was probably the only way to get it done, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said missile strikes in Pakistan will continue in an effort to root out al Qaeda members.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked Pentagon staff to draw up plans for shutting the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a Pentagon spokesman said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who arrived in Iraq in a surprise visit Saturday, said he doubts U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan will reach the levels attained in Iraq.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is learning that becoming the first defense secretary to bridge two administrations can lead to some awkward moments.
The U.S. military plans to move three more combat brigades to Afghanistan by summer, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.
President-elect Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates may have policy differences, but Gates said Tuesday he was "impressed" by statements Obama has already made on issues such as the Iraq War.
Since 2006, he has garnered an image of fixing problems at the Pentagon -- he was the anti-Rumsfeld, and his time was to be short.
Several officials close to President-elect Barack Obama's transition tell CNN that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to stay on the job for at least the first year of the new administration.
As each day passes, the buzz is building that Robert Gates might be asked -- and agree -- to stay on as defense secretary, at least for a while.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States would be prepared to reconcile with the Taliban if the Afghan government pursued talks to end the seven-year conflict in that country.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, like his predecessor Donald Rumsfeld, believes the greatest threat to the U.S. military is its own sclerotic bureaucracy
The United States will not likely launch another regime-changing war "anytime soon," but American troops will remain in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the earliest more forces will become available for deployment to Afghanistan will be spring or summer of 2009.
Up to three more combat brigades could be available to go to Afghanistan beginning next spring, in answer to repeated calls from commanders for more troops
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates flew into Iraq on Monday to oversee a change of command of American forces.
After Bush's tough talk, his Defense Secretary makes clear that military confrontation isn't an option
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that if Russia doesn't step back from its "aggressive posture," it will adversely affect U.S.-Russian relations for years.
No matter who winds up being the next president, he is likely to "take a sensible approach" to the Iraq war, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told CNN in an exclusive interview Tuesday.
The Secretary of Defense fires two Air Force chiefs over security lapses on America's weapons of mass destruction
The top military and civilian leaders of the U.S. Air Force were forced out Thursday over the handling of nuclear weapons, the Defense Department secretary said.
Efforts to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are at "a standstill," Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a Senate subcommittee Tuesday.
Military cremation procedures have been changed after a soldier complained that his buddy's remains were taken to what appeared to be a "pet crematorium," the Pentagon announced Friday.
Advocates of better mental health care for troops say a new Pentagon policy aimed at reducing the stigma of getting psychiatric counseling could be a small but important step
Defense Secretary Robert Gates' voice cracked with emotion Monday night as he wrapped up a lesson to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The Defense Secretary accuses the Air Force of excessive focus on the threats of the future, while neglecting the challenges of the present. It's not a new complaint
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has formally ordered the Air Force, Navy and Defense Logistics Agency to conduct an inventory of all U.S. nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon-related materials to make sure all items are accounted for, according to a Pentagon memo released Thursday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he told Turkish leaders on Thursday that Ankara should end its offensive against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq as soon as possible, but the U.S. made no threats to pull intelligence support for the operation if its NATO ally fails to comply.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates returned to work Wednesday afternoon after breaking his upper right arm in a fall on the ice outside his Washington home, a Pentagon spokesman said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has urged European nations to commit more troops to help fight extremism in Afghanistan or risk the survival of the NATO alliance.
The Secretary of Defense made clear to Congress that the number of F-22 fighters sought by the Air Force is excessive
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to press European allies to contribute more to the fight in Afghanistan during two days of informal NATO meetings that began Thursday in the Lithuanian capital.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, criticized by some for comments indicating NATO forces in southern Afghanistan are not up to par, praised them Thursday for their "valor and sacrifice," which has caused the Taliban "significant losses."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday defended his recent comments that some NATO troops in Afghanistan lack the skills to battle insurgents.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates criticized Congress Friday for providing less money than President Bush requested to prosecute the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense and foreign ministers from eight NATO countries were gathering Friday in Scotland for a two-day conference to discuss Afghanistan's future, where the U.S. defense secretary plans to press allies to commit more resources to the fight there.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday began two days of talks with allied defense and diplomatic officials on how to re-energize and reinforce NATO efforts in southern Afghanistan
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan on Monday for his third visit to the war-torn nation since being confirmed as Pentagon chief.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his Chinese counterpart agreed to work together to steer Iran away from its nuclear ambitions in talks that Chinese President Hu Jintao described Tuesday as "very candid and friendly."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday hailed deepening dialogue between the United States and China and said Beijing is helping to put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program.
Top Bush administration officials are shifting into damage-control mode after a House committee narrowly approved a resolution that labels the killings of Armenians in Turkey during World War I as "genocide."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is asking for nearly $190 billion from Congress to help fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an increase from the amount requested earlier this year.
Anticipation of a "contentious" confirmation process on Capitol Hill prompted the decision to replace Gen. Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when his term ends in September, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Iraq on Thursday after a bloody 24-hour stretch in Baghdad that left more than 200 people dead.
Tours of duty for members of the U.S. Army will be extended from 12 months to 15 months effective immediately, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Wednesday.
Serial numbers and markings on explosives used in Iraq provide "pretty good" evidence that Iran is providing either weapons or technology for militants there, Defense Secretary Robert Gates asserted Friday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States could start withdrawing troops from Iraq later this year -- "if circumstances on the ground permit."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that the United States is "not planning for a war with Iran."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with top commanders in Iraq on Wednesday as debate swirled in Baghdad and Washington about whether a "surge" of thousands of additional American troops would help the situation in Iraq.
The Senate voted 95-2 Wednesday to approve Robert Gates as President Bush's choice to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary.
The Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously approved President Bush's nomination of Robert Gates to be defense secretary Tuesday and sent it to the full Senate for approval, the committee's outgoing chairman said.
The outgoing Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee warned President Bush and Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates on Tuesday to consult with Democrats before changing Iraq policy.
Modern bureaucracy is the spine of the modern state.
After President Bush announced Wednesday that Robert Gates will replace Donald Rumsfeld as secretary of defense, we asked CNN.com readers what advice they would give to Gates. Here is a selection of your responses, some of which have been edited:
President Bush's choice to take over the Defense Department is already involved in planning for the future of the war in Iraq as a member of a high-level commission reviewing U.S. strategy.
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