Topic: Robert Gates

U.S., Europe gulf opens at NATO summit

European objections keep Georgia, Ukraine off membership track, but US plans for missile-defense program in Europe gets an endorsement.

Former Pentagon official pleads guilty in China spy case

The case involves classified Taiwan weapons data and follows admissions about an errant shipment of nuclear fuses to Taiwan.

In Moscow, Rice signals warmer US-Russia ties

High-level talks on contentious issues such as missile defense had a markedly different tone from past rhetoric.

World

Reporters on the Job

U.S. commander for Middle East resigns

Adm. William Fallon stepped down after an article in Esquire magazine portrayed his views on Iran as being at odds with those of President Bush.

Opinion: No more Pentagon budget games

Real security needs, not an arbitrary baseline, should drive the numbers.

Will an extended Turkish offensive further destabilize Iraq?

President Bush wants a limit to the Turkish campaign against rebels, but Turkey says no to a timetable.

More troops for Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Department says

An Army general warns of strain on deployed troops.

Turkish raid strains U.S.-Kurd ties

American support in strike against PKK rebels threatens relations with key Iraqi allies.

Reporters on the Job

A Presidents' Day prayer

A Christian Science perspective on daily life.

Iraq parliament passes budget, signaling progress

The move came one day after the parliament's speaker threatened to dissolve the body for 'ineptitude.'

With Gates's shift on drawdowns, little reprieve ahead for U.S. Army in Iraq

In agreeing to stop the post-'surge' drawdown in Iraq, Defense secretary keeps pressure on the service.

USA

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about US diplomacy and indicators of the world's oil supply.

Congress eyes defense cuts

The Army's multibillion-dollar modernization program, the Future Combat System, faces serious challenge this year.

World

The Monitor's View: More 'troops' for U.S. diplomacy

A proposed increase in diplomats is an important step toward greater 'soft power.'

Afghanistan strains NATO ties

Secretary of State Rice arrives in London Wednesday to address tensions among key allies.

Bush budget would add State Dept. diplomats

Nearly 1,100 diplomats would be added as part of a plan to double the corps' size to 22,000 by 2018.

Record U.S. defense spending, but future budgets may decline

Other challenges – potential recession, budget deficits, and rising entitlement spending – could overshadow military priorities.

Pentagon asks for biggest budget hike since World War II

Besides its $515 billion request, the Defense Department wants another $70 billion to cover some of next year's war operations.

The Monitor's View: The world can't ignore the Al Qaeda and Taliban threat in Afghanistan

A surge by the US and its allies is needed in the country.

Senators challenge White House approach on Afghanistan

Foreign Relations Committee hearing comes a day after the release of two critical reports.