Secretary Gates, as his biography states, is the 22nd Secretary of Defense and the ONLY one to remain with a change of administration. That is fairly amazing. It is even more amazing to realize he likes serving under the new President. He has been pivotal in turning the 'ship on a dime' to reduce the American footprint in Iraq while reengaging a very unsteady and deteriorating Afghanistan.
He has averted uncertainty in facing the incideous 'terrorist' that likes to strike when a new USA administration still hasn't gotten its feet planted firmly in the job. I thanked him for the dedication he showed to this new President and staying in the position of Secretary of Defense for that purpose. I have my irritations with him, but, to be completely honest, whom among us would like to walk in his shoes?
He is doing a remarkable job and is open to change within the paradigm of the new Commander and Chief. For a while, I was worried the citizen of the USA was simply a hostage to the military infrastructure, but, Secretary Gates has shown reaction to demands by the public to be flexible on such issues as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," under great pressure to 'remain the same.' We are seeing a new face to the military in many ways that was cajoled by their new Commander and Chief and backed fully by our Defense Secretary.
I believe he is capable of achieving peace in ways we never thought existed. Example: Tiawan and a peaceful Pacific. There are no truer words spoken.
...“The United States and China clearly disagree on this matter,” Mr. Gates said in a speech on Saturday at an Asian security conference here. “Yet Taiwan arms sales over the decades have not impeded closer political and economic ties, nor closer ties in other security arenas of mutual interest.”...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/world/asia/05gates.html
A strong Taiwan is a strong partner to China. I find his insight incredibly wonderful when one reflects on The One China Policy and its certain achievement under the steady hand of democratic principles. The more I get to know the steadfastness of Secretary Gates, the more I admire him.
He is the man for the job and he is a willing and able partner to his President.
