Well, I've ruffled a few feathers at all the institutions I've led. But I think that's part of leadership. Robert M. Gates featherhaveinstitution Change image and share on social
If there's ever an example that military power alone cannot be successful in Afghanistan, I think it was the Soviet experience. Robert M. Gates afghanistanexperiencemilitary Change image and share on social
There is no international problem that can be addressed or solved without the engagement and leadership of the United States and everybody in the world knows that, its just fact of life. So sometimes I think we could conduct ourselves with a little more humility. Robert M. Gates addressconductengagement share on social
I read in the press, and therefore it must be true, that no secretary of defense had ever been quoted as arguing for a bigger budget for State. Robert M. Gates arguebigbudget Change image and share on social
Health care costs are eating the Defense Department alive. Robert M. Gates alivecarecost Change image and share on social
One of the big changes in the Congress since I first came to Washington is that all of these folks go home every weekend. They used to play golf together; their families got to know each other, go to dinner at each other's homes at weekends - and these would be people who were political adversaries. Robert M. Gates adversarybigcongress share on social
I've been very sensitive for a long time to the repeated pattern, during economic hard times or after a war, of the United States' essentially unilaterally disarming. Robert M. Gates disarmeconomicessentially Change image and share on social
One of my favorite little sayings is, 'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.' Robert M. Gates avoidcriticismfavorite Change image and share on social
The reality is, the United States has global interests. Our defense budget is about the same as the defense budgets or military budgets of every other country in the world put together. Robert M. Gates budgetcountrydefense Change image and share on social
I had no concerns - I had no reason to have concerns based on what was available to me about North's contacts with the private sector people, but I didn't think a CIA person should do it. Robert M. Gates baseciaconcern Change image and share on social