Gates Speaks On Future of U.S. Policy

  DoD photo by Cherie Cullen. Last week, Sec. of Defense, Robert Gates spoke at the first event of the Dean Acheson lecture series at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Gates focused on the U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and acknowledged many challenges for the future. He recognized the unconventional nature of our new adversaries in the War on Terror and future challenges.

Afghanistan has tested America’s capacity- and the capacity for our allies and partners- to adapt institutions, policies, and approaches that in many cases were formed in a different era for a different set of challenges.

Recognizing and understanding the challenges is only half the battle. Taking that knowledge and creating a solid plan for moving forward is the crucial next step. Gates hinted at that next step for the U.S. in Afghanistan.

Central also to success is economic development, reconstruction, improved governance, the develop of modern institutions, and a counternarcotics strategy – all in all what NATO calls the “comprehensive approach".

To see the rest of Gates’ speech here.