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Travels with Gates
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates holds a press conference in Vilnius, Lithuania during the NATO Defense Ministerial, Feb. 7, 2008. Multinational Corps Iraq Commander U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola stand at attention with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during an awards ceremony honoring the two MNC-I leaders in Baghdad, Feb. 11, 2008.U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks over the intercom system of a UH-60 blackhawk helicopter while en route to Forward Operating Base Falcon for an operational update in Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 11, 2008.Multinational Force Iraq Commander U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus greets U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates upon his arrival at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 11, 2008.U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Iraqi National Security Advisor Mouwaffak al-Rubaie discuss Iraqi defense issues during Gates' surprise visit Feb. 10, 2008.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, Feb. 7, 2008 to meet informally with NATO ministers, before heading to Germany to attend the Munich Conference on Security Policy. From Munich, the secretary made a surprise visit to Iraq, before returning to Washington on Feb. 11. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer pose for a group shot with other ministers of defense from the NATO alliance, Feb. 7, 2008. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and German Minister of Defense Dr. Franz Josef sign a defense agreement during the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy in Munich, Germany, Feb. 9, 2008. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, speaks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier before the kickoff of the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy, Feb. 9, 2008.
 

Gates Favors Pause After Surge Redeployments

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq, Feb. 11, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he'll probably recommend a pause for evaluation and assessment in Iraq before further troop reductions when the last surge brigade leaves in July. Story

Gates Arrives in Baghdad for Consultations

BAGHDAD, Feb. 10, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Baghdad and immediately went into meetings with senior Iraqi officials. Story

Attendees of the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy listen as U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates delivers a speech on security threats posed by terrorists to European nations in Munich, Germany, Feb. 10, 2008.NATO-Afghanistan Link Holds Lessons for Future

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 10, 2008 – NATO's experience in Afghanistan holds lessons for the alliance’s near- and long-term strategy, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Story

Gates Connects NATO Afghanistan Effort With Terror Threat in Europe

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 10, 2008 – The war on terror in Afghanistan is Europe's war, too, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Munich, Germany. Story

Missile Issues Discussed With Russian Official

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, speaks to Russian 1st Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov during the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy in Munich, Germany, Feb. 9, 2008.MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 9, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed ballistic missile defense issues with Russia's deputy prime minister, taking advantage of attending the 44th Munich Conference on Strategy Policy, to continue informal U.S.-Russian defense talks. Story

More NATO Troops Needed in Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates delivers a speech on security threats posed by terrorists to European nations during the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy in Germany, Feb. 10, 2008.MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 9, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said more NATO troops are needed to support the International Security Force in Afghanistan in order to preserve the gains made in that country. Gates is attending the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy in Germany. Story

Afghanistan Discussed With NATO Counterparts

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 8, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he left a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Vilnius, Lithuania, with the impression "that a number of allies are considering what more they might be able to do" to increase troops and support to the mission in Afghanistan. Story

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates inside the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Feb. 8, 2008.NATO Talks Encourage Gates

VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb. 7, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he was encouraged by his discussions on Afghanistan with NATO defense ministers during meetings in Vilnius, Lithuania. Story

Pakistan Understands Terror Danger

VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb. 7, 2008 – Pakistan only recently has realized that terrorists on its border with Afghanistan pose a significant threat, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a news conference in Vilnius, Lithuania. Story

Photo Essays

Feb. 12, 2008:  Gates Visits Iraq II
Feb. 11, 2008:  Gates Visits Iraq
Feb. 11, 2008:  Gates in Munich
Feb. 8, 2008:  NATO Talks in Vilnius, Lithuania

Transcripts

Gates Tribute to Lt. Gen. Odierno, CSM Ciotola
Gates' Munich Speech