Libya war exposes 'Nato's chronic weaknesses'

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has upbraided Nato for its dependence on the US military, saying this puts the alliance's mission in Libya at risk.

Gaddafi seen on 'back foot' as fighting rages

Libyan rebels appear to be gaining ground against Muammer Gaddafii, the British defence minister said, despite a deadly attack on Misrata port.

Gates: China's military advances challenge US power

A United States military presence in the Pacific is essential to restrain Chinese assertiveness, Washington's defence chief said on Friday.

US again urges North Korea to meet its obligations

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Friday held out the possibility of a resumption of six-party talks if North Korea ceases provocations.

US, China play down military rivalry

The defence chiefs of the United States and China on Monday sought to play down a growing military rivalry between the two countries.

West wants solidarity as Iran steps up nuclear programme

Iran has declared it will begin enriching its uranium stockpile to a higher level, further raising fears over the country's nuclear ambitions.

US: al-Qaeda could provoke India-Pakistan conflict

Al-Qaeda is seeking to destabilise South Asia and could trigger a war between Pakistan and India, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday.

US decision can't wait for Afghan legitimacy

The United States cannot wait for problems surrounding the legitimacy of the Afghan government to be resolved before making a decision on troops.

Gates blames past lack of troops for Taliban edge

Defence Secretary Robert Gates blamed the Taliban's revival on a failure to deploy enough troops to Afghanistan and said US forces would not withdraw.

After flurry of early activity, Obama doctrine takes shape

We're only 50 days in, but it's not too soon to discern a refreshing thread of logic in the president's foreign policy.

Click hereÖ

Photos about Robert Gates

On the march
A rebel prepares for battle in Brega, Libya, on Tuesday. Nato defence chiefs have met to discuss the mission, after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates accused some European allies of failing to pull their weight.

The frontline
A Libyan rebel patrols the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, south of Benghazi, on Monday. United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates, speaking in Moscow on Tuesday, said "significant" military action in Libya should recede within days. (Anja Niedringhaus, AP)

Lucky escape
An unidentified Afghan man stands next to a minibus that was rammed by a suicide bomber close to the Kabul airport on Tuesday morning. Ten civilians were injured in the attack, which a Taliban spokesperson said was meant to "welcome" United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates to the country.

Peacemaker
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is pictured at a press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia said it planned to send a mission to Iraq to explore the possibility of reopening its embassy.

[ More on News In Photos ]

IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER

SUBSCRIBE:
- Paper edition
- iPad edition (NEW!)
- Kindle edition
- Digital edition

Read stories online

@mailandguardian - Top stories & newsflashes
@NicDawes - M&G editor Nic Dawes
@ChrisRoperZA - Editor, M&G Online
@amabhungane - M&G Centre for Investigative Journ
@mgfeed - Our whole news feed