Comparing Two Presidents

During his tenure as Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates served under both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Discuss his impressions of both men, including their personalities, temperaments, and approaches to the Presidency.

War With the Pentagon

Why does Gates say he waged war with the Pentagon? What were the issues at stake? Give several examples of specific issues he faced and describe how he handled them.

Two Different Wars

Why does Gates call Iraq the bad war and Afghanistan the good war? How does he differentiate between the two? How do those characterizations play out in how the wars were handled during his tenure at Defense?

New President, Old Job

Describe some of the issues Gates faced when Bush left office and the Obama team took over. What ramifications did the issues have on Gates' job?

Washington vs. Baghdad Time

What does Gates...