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Manama Dialogue December 2008
flag of IraqIraq
flag of BahrainBAHRAIN
flag of KyrgyzstanKYRGYZSTAN
flag of AfghanistanAFGHANISTAN
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shakes hands with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, during the International Institute for Stategic Studies' fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shakes hands with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, during the International Institute for Stategic Studies' fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gives a speech during the opening of International Institute for Stategic Studies' fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gives a speech during the opening of International Institute for Stategic Studies' fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks with the troops during a town hall meeting on Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks with the troops during a town hall meeting on Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited Manas Air Base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, to talk with U.S. troops about their concerns and share the reasoning behind his decision to stay on as secretary for the new administration. Gates also visited Bahrain to meet with the country's leaders and to attend the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogues. On his return trip, Gates stopped to visit U.S. troops in Balad, Iraq.

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Gates Travels to Iraq, Talks With Leaders, Troops

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks with the troops during a town hall meeting on Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry MorrisonBALAD, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2008 – The mission in Iraq is still relevant despite the recent political attention on the fight in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told troops here today. Story»

Continuity Promised, Cooperation
Urged for Middle East Initiatives

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, speaks with John Chipman, chief executive officer of the International Institute for Stategic Studies, during the opening of the fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry MorrisonMANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates opened the first session of the Manama Dialogue here today, pledging continued U.S. participation in the security of the Gulf and encouraging the Arab world to embrace Iraq and Afghanistan diplomatically and economically. Story»

Gates Visits U.S. Naval Forces in Bahrain

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shakes hands with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, during the International Institute for Stategic Studies' fifth annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Dec. 13, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry MorrisonMANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 12, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters prior to the start of the 5th annual International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Story»

U.S. Commitment to Gulf Region Reaffirmed

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks with U.S. Navy sailors at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 12, 2008. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jerry MorrisonMANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 12, 2008 – Providing reassurances that countries in the region and other allies can continue to count on the United States and fostering U.S. relationships in the Persian Gulf region are among the goals Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates hopes to achieve at the multinational Manama Dialogue conference here. Story»

'Sense of Duty' Called Gates to Stay on as Secretary

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told several hundred troops in southern Afghanistan that a sense of duty caused him to agree to stay on in his current job through the administration change. Story» | Transcript

More Resources to Fight in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pledged more resources to top commanders in southern Afghanistan for what he said likely will be a protracted fight. Story»

Two More Combat Brigades to Deploy
To Afghanistan by Summer, Gates Says

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he wants to send two combat brigades to Afghanistan by summer in addition to the brigade combat team already scheduled to deploy there in January. Story»

Gates Praises Work of Remote Air Hub

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 11, 2008 - During a brief stopover, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked airmen and soldiers at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, for their work at an important hub for air operations supporting the war in Afghanistan. Story»

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