Every time we have come to the end of a conflict, somehow we have persuaded ourselves that the nature of mankind and the nature of the world have changed on an enduring basis and so we have dismantle our military and intelligence capabilities. My hope is that as we wind down in Iraq and whatever the level of our commitment in Afghanistan, that we not forget the basic nature of humankind has not changed.
A wild and crazy weekend involves sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigar, reading a book. - Robert M. Gates
A wild and crazy weekend involves sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigar, reading a book.
- Robert M. Gates
In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Afr… - Robert M. Gates
In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Afr…
No policy has proved more successful in making friends for the United States, during the cold war and since, than educating students from abroad at o… - Robert M. Gates
No policy has proved more successful in making friends for the United States, during the cold war and since, than educating students from abroad at o…
Congress is best viewed from a distance - the farther the better - because up close, it is truly ugly. - Robert M. Gates
Congress is best viewed from a distance - the farther the better - because up close, it is truly ugly.
Often, loyalty means telling people things they don't want to hear. It's not being sycophantic, it's not telling them how wonderful they are every da… - Robert M. Gates
Often, loyalty means telling people things they don't want to hear. It's not being sycophantic, it's not telling them how wonderful they are every da…
One of my favorite little sayings is, 'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. - Robert M. Gates
One of my favorite little sayings is, 'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.
I think in the context of senior government positions, I think an anecdote of what I told President-Elect Barack Obama when we had our first meeting.… - Robert M. Gates
I think in the context of senior government positions, I think an anecdote of what I told President-Elect Barack Obama when we had our first meeting.…
Most governments lie to each other. That's the way business gets done. - Robert M. Gates
Most governments lie to each other. That's the way business gets done.
It has become clear that America's civilian institutions of diplomacy and development have been chronically undermanned and underfunded for far too l… - Robert M. Gates
It has become clear that America's civilian institutions of diplomacy and development have been chronically undermanned and underfunded for far too l…
Login to join the discussion
Login to join the discussion