http://www.mail.com/people/3332-robert-gates.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/3332-robert-gates.html http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2124252-hagel-tours-navy-combat-vessel.html SINGAPORE (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel toured the U.S. Navy's new small combat ship, the USS Freedom, the first of a new class of littoral warships recently deployed to Asia to partner with allies in the region. His visit to the ship on Sunday comes amid nagging questions about the cost and viability of the roughly $34 billion program and whe... Sun, 02 Jun 2013 09:10:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2124252-hagel-tours-navy-combat-vessel.html 2013-06-02T09:10:45Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080046-gates-worries-escalation-korean-tension.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Pentagon chief says he worries that North Korea's young leader and his generals don't realize there's been a "dramatic change" in public opinion in South Korea in how to respond to belligerent actions by the North. Robert Gates says that after many years of "swallowing provocation," the South Koreas "are not prepared to take tha... Sun, 12 May 2013 13:07:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080046-gates-worries-escalation-korean-tension.html 2013-05-12T13:07:09Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2080060-gates-to-direct-military-involvement-syria.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks direct U.S. intervention in Syria's civil war — particularly direct military involvement — would be a mistake. Gates, who served both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, says he oversaw wars that began with quick regime change "and we all know what happened after that.... Sun, 12 May 2013 13:03:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2080060-gates-to-direct-military-involvement-syria.html 2013-05-12T13:03:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2076332-nkorea-nuke-arsenal-matter-when.html SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For 20 years, fears about North Korea's headlong pursuit of nuclear bombs have been deflected by admonishments not to overestimate an impoverished dictatorship prone to bragging and tantrums. Not anymore. After three nuclear tests of apparently increasing power and a long-range rocket launch that puts it a big step closer to havi... Fri, 10 May 2013 15:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2076332-nkorea-nuke-arsenal-matter-when.html 2013-05-10T15:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073334-general-orders-extra-review-nuke-crew-failings.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The general who commands the nation's nuclear forces said Thursday he has ordered further review of failings discovered among Air Force officers who operate nuclear missiles. But he told Congress he was not alarmed by their shortcomings. Gen. Robert Kehler, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, told a House Armed Services panel that the A... Thu, 09 May 2013 14:52:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073334-general-orders-extra-review-nuke-crew-failings.html 2013-05-09T14:52:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070570-ap-exclusive-commander-cites-rot-nuke-force.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel demanded more information Wednesday after the Air Force removed 17 launch officers from duty at a nuclear missile base in North Dakota over what a commander called "rot" in the force. The Air Force struggled to explain, acknowledging concern about an "attitude problem" but telling Congress the weapons were secure. ... Wed, 08 May 2013 21:41:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070570-ap-exclusive-commander-cites-rot-nuke-force.html 2013-05-08T21:41:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2047442-air-force-secretary-stepping-5-years.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Air Force Secretary Michael Donley will step down after a five-year tenure during which he improved the service's handling of nuclear materials, but had to deal with scandals surrounding aircraft contracts, sexual assaults by service members and the mishandling of war dead. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement Friday that Do... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:38:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2047442-air-force-secretary-stepping-5-years.html 2013-04-26T20:38:41Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2012550-hagel-job-to-cut-heart-pentagon.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel rejected the suggestion that President Barack Obama tapped him to "cut the heart out of the Pentagon," pointedly reminding lawmakers Thursday that Congress approved the smaller, deficit-driven military budgets long before he took the job. Faced with a $487 billion budget cut over a decade, Hagel and Gen. Mar... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:46:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2012550-hagel-job-to-cut-heart-pentagon.html 2013-04-11T20:46:35Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2004736-pentagon-struggles-with-high-cost-health-care.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The loud, insistent calls in Washington to rein in the rising costs of Social Security and Medicare ignore a major and expensive entitlement program — the military's health care system. Despite dire warnings from three defense secretaries about the uncontrollable cost, Congress has repeatedly rebuffed Pentagon efforts to establish higher... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:55:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2004736-pentagon-struggles-with-high-cost-health-care.html 2013-04-08T07:55:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1933506-hagel-meets-with-israeli-minister-pledges-support.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel promised Israel Tuesday that he will work with Congress to ensure continued funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system, a senior defense official said after the Pentagon chief met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The two-hour session in the Pentagon was Hagel's first meeting with a foreign cou... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:20:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1933506-hagel-meets-with-israeli-minister-pledges-support.html 2013-03-05T23:20:34Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1918238-hagel-time-to-turn-page-decade-war.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Hagel was sworn in Wednesday as defense secretary — President Barack Obama's third in just over four years and the first who really wanted one of Washington's toughest jobs. Introducing himself to Pentagon workers shortly after taking the oath of office, Hagel said he was humbled by the opportunity and ready for the challenge. He s... Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:01:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1918238-hagel-time-to-turn-page-decade-war.html 2013-02-27T20:01:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1883960-military-weighs-cutbacks-shifts-drone-programs.html LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AP) — The Pentagon for the first time is considering scaling back the massive buildup of drones it has overseen in the past few years, both to save money and to adapt to changing security threats and an increased focus on Asia as the Afghanistan war winds down. Air Force leaders are saying the military may already have enough ... Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1883960-military-weighs-cutbacks-shifts-drone-programs.html 2013-02-11T23:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1881330-lawmakers-urge-oversight-drone-program.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's use of unmanned drones to kill Americans who are suspected of being al-Qaida allies deserves closer inspection, lawmakers said Sunday as even some of the president's allies suggested an uneasiness about the program. Obama's stance toward the terrorist threats facing the United States has left some Democrats and R... Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:53:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1881330-lawmakers-urge-oversight-drone-program.html 2013-02-10T17:53:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1875492-panetta-us-risk-second-rate-power.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is at risk of becoming a second-rate power if automatic budget cuts go into effect, plunging the U.S. armed forces into the most significant readiness crisis they've faced in more than a decade, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Thursday. Panetta, who is retiring soon from his post, told the Senate Armed Services Co... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1875492-panetta-us-risk-second-rate-power.html 2013-02-07T21:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1872452-us-to-cut-carrier-fleet-persian-gulf-to-1.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is cutting its aircraft carrier presence in the Persian Gulf region from two carriers to one, the Defense Department said Wednesday, in a move that represents one of the most significant effects of budget cuts on the U.S. military presence overseas. The decision comes as Washington struggles to find a way to avoid sharp automatic spending cuts ... Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1872452-us-to-cut-carrier-fleet-persian-gulf-to-1.html 2013-02-06T22:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1870036-hagel-to-5th-pentagon-chief-with-enlisted-time.html WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama declared that his defense secretary nominee, Chuck Hagel, would be the first former enlisted man to lead the Pentagon, he seemed to overlook four previous defense chiefs who served part of their military years as enlisted men. William J. Perry, who served as defense secretary from 1994-97, was in the Army's en... Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1870036-hagel-to-5th-pentagon-chief-with-enlisted-time.html 2013-02-05T18:31:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1853542-lahood-departure-leaves-vacancy-cabinet.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who lifted the profile of distracted driving as a national safety concern, is stepping down, presenting President Barack Obama with another Cabinet vacancy at the start of his second term. The former congressman from Illinois and one of only two Republicans who served in Obama's Cabinet, LaHood worked... Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1853542-lahood-departure-leaves-vacancy-cabinet.html 2013-01-29T20:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1844142-democratic-support-hagel-grows.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic support for Chuck Hagel's nomination for defense secretary grew on Thursday as the former Republican senator allayed concerns about his past statements on Israel and Iran. Sens. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Chris Coons of Delaware and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said they met with Hagel thi... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 03:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1844142-democratic-support-hagel-grows.html 2013-01-25T03:58:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1832988-sex-major-reason-military-commanders-fired.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, fired from his command in Afghanistan last May and now facing a court-martial on charges of sodomy, adultery and pornography and more, is just one in a long line of commanders whose careers were ended because of possible sexual misconduct. Sex has proved to be the downfall of presidential candidates, members ... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1832988-sex-major-reason-military-commanders-fired.html 2013-01-21T01:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1832702-fiscal-crisis-budget-battle-mark-panettas-tenure.html WASHINGTON (AP) — As Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's plane returned home Saturday night, completing his final official overseas trip, his staff gathered to salute his time as Pentagon chief and present him with a symbol of his tenure: a plastic meat ax. After 19 months at the helm of the world's largest military, Panetta may go down in history as the CIA... Sun, 20 Jan 2013 08:43:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1832702-fiscal-crisis-budget-battle-mark-panettas-tenure.html 2013-01-20T08:43:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1830320-panetta-urges-nato-to-pressure-al-qaida.html LONDON (AP) — As international military operations continued in Algeria and Mali, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged NATO Friday to be more innovative and flexible so it can keep "relentless pressure" on al-Qaida and be able to respond to a broad range of security threats in the future. Panetta was speaking as officials were still trying to sort out det... Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:06:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1830320-panetta-urges-nato-to-pressure-al-qaida.html 2013-01-18T17:06:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1809386-defense-nominee-hagel-lays-stand-iran.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's pick for defense secretary, Chuck Hagel, is meeting with senior Pentagon staff to try to set the record straight about his stand on Iran, saying he backs strong international sanctions against Tehran and believes all options, including military action, should be on the table, defense officials said Wednesday. In ... Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1809386-defense-nominee-hagel-lays-stand-iran.html 2013-01-09T21:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1804800-obama-sends-military-dod-chief.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said he was sending the U.S. military "one of its own" Monday as he selected decorated Vietnam combat veteran Chuck Hagel to lead the Pentagon as it scales back spending and winds down a decade of war. A former Republican senator from Nebraska, Hagel would be the first enlisted military member to become secretary o... Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1804800-obama-sends-military-dod-chief.html 2013-01-07T21:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1802894-chuck-hagel-nominee-to-lead-pentagon.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel is a contrarian Republican moderate and decorated Vietnam combat veteran who is likely to support a more rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. As President Barack Obama's probable nominee for defense secretary, Hagel has another credential important to the president: a personal relationship wi... Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1802894-chuck-hagel-nominee-to-lead-pentagon.html 2013-01-07T12:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1801490-mcchrystal-takes-blame-rolling-stone-article.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaking out for the first time since he resigned, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal takes the blame for a Rolling Stone article and the unflattering comments attributed to his staff about the Obama administration that ended his Afghanistan command and army career. "Regardless of how I judged the story for fairness or accuracy, responsibil... Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:21:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1801490-mcchrystal-takes-blame-rolling-stone-article.html 2013-01-06T03:21:00Z