But on the advice of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and senior military leaders, President Obama decided that no more are needed for national defense.

VOA: standard.2009.07.21

U.S.officials have largely refrained from publicly speaking about the operations, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates said earlier this year there are no plans to stop them.

VOA: standard.2009.03.26

(NO TRANSCRIPTS) Melinda Gates says with the investment by the foundation and its partners, the deaths of eight million children would be prevented over the next nine years.

VOA: standard.2010.01.29

Gates' stressed that,in any case, he saw no cause for a slowdown in the pace of U.S.troop pullouts, but that any acceleration, would necessarily depend on an assessment of the situation by U.S.Commander Ray Odierno.

VOA: standard.2009.07.29

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that while no one expects the world will achieve the goal of "zero nuclear weapons" anytime soon, the new treaty is a major step toward greater security with fewer nuclear weapons: "It is clear that we can accomplish goals with fewer nuclear weapons."

VOA: standard.2010.03.26