Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Gates vs. ‘exit strategy’

The best line in yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee goes to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said near the close of the session that, “Quite frankly, I detest the phrase ‘exit strategy.'” Loyal readers of this blog will know that I join him in that sentiment. “What we are looking at over ...

576001_091203_Gates93601395v2.jpg
576001_091203_Gates93601395v2.jpg

The best line in yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee goes to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said near the close of the session that, “Quite frankly, I detest the phrase ‘exit strategy.'” Loyal readers of this blog will know that I join him in that sentiment.

“What we are looking at over time is a transition in our relationship with the Afghans,” explained Gates, who was present at the situation back in the 1980s when the United States walked away from its mujadhedeen allies in Afghanistan, with tragic consequences. “We will not repeat the mistake-we must not repeat the mistake of 1989, and turn our backs on these folks.”

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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