In the year 2006, Robert Gates was appointed by the Former US President George W. Bush as the United States Secretary of Defense. He served as the Nation’s 22nd Defense Secretary of US till this current administration of US President Barrack Obama. In his long years of service in the US Government, last year, Sec. Robert Gates announced about his planned retirement in his position probably this year (2011).
Recently, he made a surprise visit in Baghdad, Iraq where he was appointed to watch over the country’s situation due to its never-ending engagement in wars and trouble. He arrived in Baghdad at Wednesday night without the people’s knowing most probably for security causes.
Prior to the Iraq visit, he already warned his troops about the possibility of the U.S. Government to close down. He also warned the troops that even though they will not be able to receive their paycheck because of the said government instability, but they need not to worry because in the long run they could still get their pay back. As an action, he emphasizes that the government should always prioritize first the payments for these defense forces or what he so called “guys with guns”.
He also visited Saudi Arabia, where he made a talk with King Abdullah, the country’s monarch, and opened up about the territory’s total development and also conversed about situation of Iran. He even described the discussion extremely warm and cordial.
Gates also addressed the Iranian leaders and the people that they should focus on completing their procedures for proper formation of the government instead of exploiting other countries and engaging themselves into trouble. Gates said that they have evidences to prove about the plans of the Iranian to create troubles in some other places.
Gates proclaimed that the trip would probably his last visit in Iraq as he has already have intentions beforehand to have his retirement this year.