Gates expresses regret for civilian deaths (AP)

Gates foresees narrower US combat role in Iraq (AP)
AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that although no additional U.S. combat brigades are to withdraw from Iraq this year, he expects the U.S. combat role to keep shrinking.

US worries Russia returning to authoritarian past (AP)
AP - Russia is showing signs of returning to its authoritarian past and its invasion of Georgia will require the U.S. to re-evaluate the strategic relationship between the superpowers,...

Gates begins wartime transition to new leadership (AP)
AP - Anticipating the first wartime change of presidents in 40 years, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday he has begun laying the groundwork to enable his successor to manage the wars...

Former Air Force exec to be named as service chief (AP)
AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates is likely to recommend to President Bush that he nominate a former Air Force executive, Michael B. Donley, to the service's top civilian post, a senior...

US aid ships could soon leave Myanmar coast (AP)
AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday he will make a decision within "a matter of days" to withdraw U.S. Navy ships from the coast of Myanmar, because "it's becoming pretty clear...