After President Obama, Is Robert Gates The Most Important Man In The Afghanistan Debate?

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience during the National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Pentagon, Sept. 18, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

Robert Gates: Overhaul the Pentagon -- Wired Magazine

From his earliest days as secretary of defense, Robert Gates kept a little countdown clock in his briefcase. It ticked off the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until January 20, 2009, when President George W. Bush would leave office and Gates could retire to his secluded home in the Pacific Northwest, 43 years after entering public life. He'd be punting some tough issues to the next guy. But that wasn't his problem.

Until it was. Barack Obama prevailed on him to stay—in the midst of economic turmoil and two ongoing wars, the new president needed a low-key, no-surprises steward at the Pentagon.

Read more ....

More News On Secretary of Defense Gates

Inside Bob Gates’ Overhaul of the Pentagon (Updated) -- Danger Room
A Pragmatist, Gates Reshapes Past Policies He Backed -- New York Times
What's the News? Just Ask Secretary Gates. -- Washington Post
Gates at the Gates: The Most Important Man in the Afghanistan Debate -- Washington Independent

My Comment: He may not be the "final" man who makes the decisions on what needs to be done, but he certainly lays the groundwork as well as structuring the framework for how these decisions are made. As an outside observer, I will give him kudos on how he is doing this. But when this is looked at in the big picture, I do not think this is helpful.

As an example, the decision to cancel the missile defense program in Poland/Czech Republic was done with the notable absence of input from the State Department. In fact, the perception is that the State Department functioned solely as the messenger of bad news .... its input on the final decision was fleeting at best .... if at all.

As a result, our diplomatic relations with many of our allies is now being put into question and doubt. The military/political objective was attained very quickly .... but the consequences of these decisions will probably take years and the next administration to overcome.