Gates: No to direct military involvement in Syria
WASHINGTON (AP) Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks direct U.S. intervention in Syrias 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.
He asks on CBS Face that Nation, Havent we learned that when you go to war, the outcomes are unpredictable? To those who think intervention might be clean and neat, Gates says most wars arent that way.
He says that if the U.S. were to do anything in Syria, it might be picking opposition groups that the U.S. believes would have some degree of moderation, and providing them with intelligence and basic military equipment.
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http://www.salon.com/2013/05/12/gates_no_to_direct_military_involvement_in_syria/
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Gates worries about escalation of Korean tension
WASHINGTON (AP) A former Pentagon chief says he worries that North Koreas young leader and his generals dont realize theres 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 that anyone.
Gates says that creates a situation where the next act of provocation could result in an escalation and the situation getting out of control.
Gates tells CBS Face the Nation that he worries that the Norths young leader, Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon), does not have an understanding of that. He says that while Chinese do have influence with Kim, they dont have control and that worries me.
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http://www.salon.com/2013/05/12/gates_worries_about_escalation_of_korean_tension/