skip navigation
Reaffirming Ties – May 2009
Saudi Arabia
Egypt

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates walks with Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Hussein Tantawi after reviewing the troops at the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, May 5, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison

Top Stories

Gates Seeks 'Ground Level'
View of Afghanistan Ops

KABUL, May 6, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Kabul for a surprise visit “to get a sense from the ground level” about how operations are going in Afghanistan. Story»

Secretary Lauds U.S. Efforts to Mentor, Boost Saudi Arabian Military Capacity

ESKAN VILLAGE, Saudi Arabia, May 6, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called the mentorship that U.S. forces are providing the Saudi Arabian military a key factor in maintaining stability in the region and an example of the capacity-building efforts he’d like to see more of elsewhere in the world. Story»

Gates Praises Egypt, Seeks
Saudi Support in Pakistan

CAIRO, May 5, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised Egypt as a key U.S. ally during a trip to the Middle East and said progress on a wide range of security issues in the region will require Egypt's "full participation and leadership." Story»

U.S. to Keep Arab Friends
Informed on Talks With Iran

CAIRO, May 5, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates emphasized on the first day of his trip to the Middle East that the United States will keep its Arab friends informed of any talks it enters into with Iran. Story»

Gates Trip Aims to Reaffirm
Ties With Egypt, Saudi Arabia

EN ROUTE TO CAIRO, May 4, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is traveling to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for sessions aimed at reaffirming ties with the important regional powers that both have strong military-to-military relationships with the United States. Story»

PHOTO ESSAYS

Members of the Egyptian Honor Guard march away after greeting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates upon his arrival at the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, May 5, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Air Force members applaud the arrival of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to U.S. Military Training Mission, Eskan Village, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 6, 2009. Gates is in Saudi Arabia to meet with local leaders and discuss defense issues. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, center, walks with U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey and Egyptian officials during his arrival in Cairo, Egypt, May 4, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison