If Iraq and Afghanistan have taught us anything in recent history, it is the unpredictability of war and that these things are easier to get into than to get out of, and, frankly, the facile way in which too many people talk about, 'Well, let's just go attack them.' Robert M. Gates afghanistanattackeasy share on social
The United States has been a global power since late in the 19th century. Robert M. Gates 19thcenturyglobal Change image and share on social
No president is well-served by groupthink or by everybody singing from the same sheet of music they think he's on. Robert M. Gates groupthinkmusicpresident Change image and share on social
I wish I could set deadlines for the Congress, but that's just not the way the Constitution is written. Robert M. Gates congressconstitutiondeadline Change image and share on social
A wild and crazy weekend involves sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigar, reading a book. Robert M. Gates bookcigarcrazy Change image and share on social
I have always that there ought to be some kind of mandatory national service, not necessarily in the military but to show everybody that freedom isn't free, that everybody has an obligation to the nation as a community. Robert M. Gates communityfreefreedom share on social
I had no difficulty as Secretary of Defense moving from the Bush administration to the Obama administration. Robert M. Gates administrationbushdefense Change image and share on social
You know, if I were an - if I were a Taliban, I'd say, 'What did al-Qaida ever do for me except get me kicked out of Afghanistan?' Robert M. Gates afghanistankickqaida Change image and share on social
I have tried to maintain civil relationships with everyone I meet - and, even if I violently disagree with them, try to be respectful. Robert M. Gates civildisagreemaintain Change image and share on social
