well today was defense secretary robert gates the last day on the job the world he leaves behind him in his retirement looks much different than when he first came into his career are two guy in the kitchen kind of looks into his work and his legacy. whoever's in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to two different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worse continued and one more was even add it to the plate of inconclusive campaigns we've yet when administrative change or change between parties there really isn't a great deal of training in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fence bending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it seems that that line is not fin

many say that's the major shift that happened in military operations under robert gates a shift that some say can only lead to more destruction. united states has increased the intensity of the focus on pakistan in terms of drone strikes those remotely piloted vehicles while targeting terrorists the us has been criticised for killing mostly civilians it's also making us less secure from a policy standpoint we can intervene are all over the world it just fuels insurgencies and fuels and i am americanism analysts say the deaths of thousands of civilians in afghanistan are part of the reason why the u.s. has failed at curbing insurgency there now the u.s. is preparing to pull out a first of its troops by the end of next year many afghans fear that less troops doesn't mean less bombs dropped on their homes as the u.s. that stop aerial strikes in the region the possibility of waging a war without having to justify the deaths of the american troops has become more palatable for the pentagon the cia has been at the forefront of america's undeclared wars and with a new secretary of defense l

they say that's the major shift that happened in military operations under robert gates a shift that some say can only lead to more destruction of. the united states has increased the intensity of the focus on the student terms of drone strikes those remotely piloted vehicles while targeting terrorists the us has been criticized quick killing mostly civilians it's also making us less secure from a policy standpoint we can intervene all over the world it just fuels insurgencies and fuels and i am americanism and always say the deaths of thousands of civilians in afghanistan are part of the reason why the u.s. has failed at curbing insurgency there now the u.s. is preparing to pull out a third of its troops by the end of next year many afghans fear that less troops doesn't mean less bombs dropped on their homes as the u.s. that stop aerial strikes in the region the possibility of waging a war without having to justify the deaths so the american troops has become more palatable for the pentagon the cia has been at the forefront of america's undeclared wars and with a new secretary of de

there really isn't a great deal of change in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fan spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it seems that there's line is not final he gives all kinds of contradictory statements for instance not long ago he said that anyone who would visors to put u.s. land army in the middle of an asian conflict should have his head examined yet at the same time. he's done everything you can he's flown over several times to baghdad to leave nouri al maliki government to that please please could us soldiers day after the deadline at the end of this year the pentagon says they expect the iraqi government will ask them to stay beyond their scheduled december thirty first departure date but with the announced troop withdrawals from iraq and afghanistan the u.s. starte

this is robert gates' last day on the job. you see him there on the right marching with the well decorated soldier next to him. robert gates served in that position as secretary of defense for five years began under former president george bush then president obama asked him to stay on. the president we're waiting for him to arrive. he will be making remarks in honor of robert gates. and he has become very close the two of them through the years he has spent on the job. in fact that said he asked him to stay on. but you can see the pomp and circumstance very, very elaborate for robert gates. we'll check back later on and bring all the details to you later. >>> a modest apartment could soon become a very hot property in southern california. it is the former santa monica home where suspected mob boss james whitety bulger hid from the f.b.i. for ten years. a line of people already jostling to get a look at that apartment once occupied by america's most wanted criminal. real estate agents say they're ready to pay top dollar. the 8

secretary of defense robert gates and leaves three wars to deal with his successor many question whether in the coming cia chief to turn the president's course around . where you're watching our team your world needs twenty four hours a day on kerry just now greece has erupted into more civil unrest with thousands of angry protesters flooding the streets south of parliament gave a green light to tough new cuts in order to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. european officials welcome the move greeks could not have been less happy with the ending or static as a cavity in the center of athens on the second day of a general strike but this is threw stones at least smashed windows and set fire to probably police responded with tear gas and stun grenades clashes continued in the night with dozens of police in protests were injured while many demonstrators were detained greeks now face twenty eight billion euro worth of cuts and tax rises in condition to a second they are released and the money reese would default on its loans in weeks with financial journalist metrical says unle

now tonight we'll talk about robert gates the legacy as secretary of defense and other shadow wars drones are now being sent into somalia and hundreds of thousands are protesting in the u.k. today against austerity cuts on the streets of d.c. pretty quiet so to compare that both countries and we'll look at another state where the economy is being hit banks a strict immigration laws that are making hispanic populations but first let's take a look what the mainstream media has missed. oh finally it looks like the casey anthony trial is winding down for that doesn't mean the coverage is to the mainstream media is just savoring the last bit of a case that has allowed them to slack on the job and just let all the cameras roll inside of a courtroom that offense is working its way through its final witnesses casey's mother father and brother among those called back to the witness stand today other testimony day included how they buried family pets and we are in day thirty two i mean potboiler drama continues to bubble over in court as the personal life of her father george once again comes under

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with for his successor but many question whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon's course on round. by from our headquarters in central moscow here watching with me and he said now it's two pm here in the russian capital one pm in athens where greece is pay. king up the pieces from the latest bout of civil unrest when thousands of angry protesters flooded the streets that's after part of the men gave the green light to tough new cots in order to secure a further financial why fine from the e.u. demonstrators clashed with police in the capital on the second day of a general strike financial journalists. witnessed the under arrest you can still. smell the chemicals that were sprayed when i walked into the hotel my eyes started to tear up again and they haven't dropped anything since last night so it's really just residue and things that are coming out. and in fact one of the things that is circulating here today is a video that shows police not just police brutality yesterday where there's a lot of that but also

whoever's in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to true different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worse continued and one more was even added to the plate of being conclusive campaign libya would ministrations change or change between parties. there really isn't a great deal of training in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fan spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade a gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it seems that there's line is not final he gives all kinds of contradictory statements for instance not long ago he said that anyone who would buy this support us a land army and the little asian conflict would have it's headed there yet at the same time. he's done everything you can flown ov

gates. on our business desk gazprom may increase its investment program to record forty four billion dollars this beer company is holding an annual general meeting on tuesday we'll bring you the latest on that and this is bullets. around the world and around the clock this is r.t. greece has erupted into more civil unrest with thousands of angry protesters flooding the streets that's after parliament's gave the green light to tough new cuts order to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. european officials welcomed the move but the greeks could not have been less happy with the pending stereotype they gathered in the center of athens on the second day a general strike for justice threw stones at police smashed windows and set part of property is responding with tear gas and stun grenades the clashes continue the night dozens of recent protesters were injured. many demonstrators were detained greeks now face twenty eight billion a year worth of cuts and tax rises the condition to a

robert gates has served eight u.s. presidents and five years as defense secretary across two wars. >> secretary gates, i look forward to you coming home to our home state at some point. i know you must be looking forward to that. >> 15 days. >> 11 days now and counting. i sat down with defense secretary gates yesterday afternoon. thank you so much for joining us. let me get to some news here over the weekend, and that is president karzai from afghanistan says that the u.s. is talking directly to the taliban in peace talks. is that so? >> i think there's been outreach on the part of a number of countries, including the united states. i would say that these contacts are very preliminary at this point. >> at what level is it? >> well, it's being carried out by the state department. >> so it's at the diplomatic level, certainly not at the level of secretary of state. >> no. no. >> and when you say -- >> as i say, other countries are involved, as well. >> and when you say preliminary, how long has it been going on? >> well,

whether the new head of the pentagon the wars that the outgoing defense robert gates. and online twenty four hours a day welcome to watty the top story greece has erupted into more civil unrest with thousands of angry protesters flooding the streets that's after parliament gave the green light to tough new. cuts in order to secure a financial lifeline in the e.u. european officials welcomed the greeks could not have been less happy with the pending austerity they gathered in the center of our friends on the second day of a general strike. police smashed windows and set the property and its responded with tear gas and stun grenades and the clashes continued and night dozens of police in protest as were injured while many demonstrators were detained greeks now face twenty billion human worth of cuts and tax rises a precondition to a second least without the money greece will default on its loans with weeks of financial journalist and i to call this is this the government addresses the needs of the people of evolution on its hands i've been to a lot of these protests and

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with for his successor and the question of whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon's course around. and our top story business gas from announces it would please dividends and made both investments so record levels join me for more on this business bulletin in about twenty minutes from now. international news and comment twenty four hours a day this is r.t. greece is picking up the pieces from the latest spot of civil unrest thousands of angry protesters flooded the streets so after parliament gave the green light to tough cuts in order to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. we're joined by financial journalist. we hope. can you actually hear us mr kofi in this are you there at the moment i can hear yes that's fantastic let me just ask you what's the atmosphere like in the greek capital a day after these massive prosperity measures were agreed upon. at this very moment it's very quiet. for protesters are supposed to come back later in the afternoon as late as six o'clock as uprising really because o

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to the loan of or do you fear a role for nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture. for the united states. and russia. and avoid us news features and analysis lined up for you on our website nationalist i can hear eva dot of his being laid to rest in moscow after he was shot dead last week log on to r.t. dot com to find out more about the plot of earth around bracegirdle all the coverage along with expert opinion is available online right now. an american anti-missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war games with the ukrainian navy but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security paul the dispute. there is growing and israeli feeling in europe with calls an e.u. and u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and though politicians remain silent activists rally to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people has more from brussels. a day of rage against israel

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with and for his successor many question whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon's course around . and our top story in business gets from announces a priest dividends and made both investment to a record level journey for more of this happens as paula zahn in about twenty minutes from now. international news and comment twenty four hours a day they say saute greece is picking up the pieces from the latest spots of civil unrest thousands of angry protesters flooded the streets soft apartments gave the green light to tough cuts in order to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. well we're joined by a financial journalist if we treat kofi anan so we hope i can you actually have coffee in this audience i can hear you i can hear you that's fantastic want me to song what's the atmosphere like in the greek capital a day off to these massive austerity measures were agreed upon. at this very moment it's very quiet. for protesters are supposed to come back later in the afternoon busboys latest six o'clock as

gates. from a business desk gazprom may increase its investment program to record forty four billion dollars this year the company's holding an annual general meeting on tuesday we'll bring you the latest from that our business bulletin. around the world and around the clock this is r t greece has erupted into more civil unrest with thousands of angry protesters flooding the streets after parliament gave the green light to tough new cuts in order to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. european officials welcomed the move but the greeks could not have been less happy with the pending. they gathered in the center of athens on the second day of a general strike protesters threw stones at police rushed windows and set part of property police responded with tear gas and stun grenades in the clashes continue the night dozens of recent protesters were injured while many demonstrators were detained greeks now face twenty eight billion a year worth of cuts and tax rises precondition to

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with for his successor but many question whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon's course on route. and business russia's gas giant gazprom announces it will increase dividends and made those investments to record levels join me for more on this in our business bulletin in about twenty minutes time. it's three pm in moscow and this is r t coming to you live now with our top story this hour greek m.p.'s are set for another vote on the already approved tough new cops in order to decide. they are going to be implemented the parliament gave the green light to the austerity measures to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. this sent thousands of angry protesters onto the streets financial journalists to witness the unrest in athens you can still. smell the chemicals that were sprayed when i walked at the hotel my eyes started to tear up again and they haven't dropped anything since last night so it's really just residue and things that are coming out. and in fact one of the things that is circulating her

many say that's the major shift that happened in military operations under robert gates a shift that some say can only lead to more destruction of. the united states has increased the intensity of the focus on the students and you drone strikes those are not the only vehicles while targeting carries the u.s. has been criticised for killing mostly civilians it's also making us less secure from a policy standpoint we can intervene over the world it just fuels insurgency needs and fuels and i am american and always say the deaths of thousands of civilians in afghanistan are part of the reason why the u.s. has fielded curbing insurgency there now the u.s. is preparing to pull out a third of its troops by the end of next year many afghans fear that less troops doesn't mean less bombs dropped on their homes as the u.s. that stop aerial strikes in the region but possibility of waging a war without having to justify their deaths so the american proposals become more palatable for the pentagon the cia has been at the forefront of america's undeclared wars and with a new secretary of defense l

secretary of defense robert gates has announced his retirement after almost five years in the job but with three ongoing wars involving america his replacement former cia director leon panetta isn't expected to make dramatic changes to pentagon policies and each camp has a story. whoever's in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to two different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worse continued and one more was even added to the plate of the inconclusive campaign lead yet when administrative change or change between parties there really isn't a great deal of train in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising to a pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fan spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it seems t

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to the long overdue figure role for nato association that could be one of the most significant imprint on the new security architecture for the united states erupt and russia. and all the latest news features and analysis lined up for you in our website. nationalist i can you read the docs will be laid to rest in moscow was massive protests expected later this month or to find out more about the controversy surrounding his grace all the coverage along with expert opinion is available online right now plus. an american anti-missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war against the ukrainian navy but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security for all the dispute by a lobby on terror. there's growing and to israeli feeling in europe with calls an e.u. and us governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and politicians remain silent activists rallied to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people as more from brussels. but

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their long overdue funeral for nato association there could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. and all the latest news features and analysis lined up for you on our web site there for cycling you worry for example that you were laid to rest in moscow with massive protests expected later in the day on tour if you are calm to find out more about the controversy surrounding the disgraced kernel of the coverage along with the paintings we'll go online right now plus. an american anti-missile worship has sailed into the black sea ready for war games with cranium maybe but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security all of that is viewed by logging on to our top. there's growing anti israeli feeling in europe was calls an e.u. and u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and though politicians remain silent activists rally to draw attention to the plight of the palest

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with for his successor but many question whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon's course some around. and business russia's gas giant gazprom announces it will increase dividends and may boost investment to record levels join me for more on this now business bulletin in about twenty minutes time. it's three pm in moscow and this is our team coming to you live now with our top story this hour greek m.p.'s are set for another vote on the already approved tough new cuts in order to decide how they are going to be implemented the parliament gave the green light to the austerity measures to secure a further financial lifeline from the e.u. this sent thousands of angry protesters onto the streets financial journalist timothy quinn last witness the unrest in athens you can still. smell the chemicals that were sprayed when i walked a little tell i had my eyes started to tear up again and they haven't dropped anything since last night so it's really just residue. things that are coming out. and in fact one of the thing

secretary of defense robert gates has announced his retirement after almost five years. in the job but with three ongoing wars involving america his replacement former cia director leon panetta is expected to make dramatic changes to pentagon policies can has the story. whoever's in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to two different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worst continued and one more was even added to the plate of the inconclusive campaign levy when administrations change or change between parties there really isn't a great deal of change in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fan spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it see

secretary of defense robert gates has announced his retirement after almost five years in the job but with three ongoing wars involving america his replacement former cia director and the out of panetta is expected to make dramatic changes to pentagon policies can has the story. clutters in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to two different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worse continued and one more was even edits to the plate of inconclusive campaign aides leave the one administrator strange or change between parties there really isn't a great deal of training in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach that really in dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year the statements from his office were often contradictory fence bending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it

. >>> retiring roberts gates has a big thank you for the troops in afghanistan. the advice he'll be giving president obama that could determine when a lot of men and women will come home. >> the former head of imf now accused of >>> 4:41. you are looking live at high definition picture at the bay bridge and embarcadero. we should tell you that trains are not stopping at the sick of center station -- civic center bart station. all those lines due to police activity. at the civic center station is stopped, all the trains are not stopping there. frances is keeping track of it and tell you much better than i did how it is affecting service on the trains are not stopping at civic center station because of police activity. >> former international monetary fund leader is expected to enter a plea today. dominique strauss-kahn is expected to plead not guilty to attempted rape, sexual abuse and other charges. defense lawyers say they have information that will seriously damage the victim's credibility. prosecutors say the evidence is strong and growing every day. he has be

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their loan of or do you figure all four nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. of course. some of the things were. last week. find out more about. all the coverage along with. sailed into the black sea. ukrainian. border. twenty minutes past the hour now here in the russian capital growing sentiment in europe calls on u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and although politicians are silent activists draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people. but. israel called for the boycott of his really good over its continued expansion. of jewish demonstrators says enough is enough. american leaders do nothing the e.u. does nothing repeated un resolutions have ruled israeli settlements illegal. fruits they full human barricades it's a use a ploy still gets through. israel's. settlement produce a profit but. forces can moving their citizens are committing war crimes under the gen

under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory spend spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it seems that there's line is not final he gives all kinds of contradictory statements for instance not long ago he said that anyone who would vices support us a land army in the middle of an asian conflict should have his head examined yet at the same time. he's done everything and can flown over several times to baghdad to leave nouri al maliki government. that please please put u.s. soldiers day after the deadline at the end of this year the pentagon says they expect the iraqi government will ask them to stay beyond their scheduled december thirty first departure date but with the announced troop withdrawals from iraq and afghanistan the u.s. started actively waging a different kind of warfare what they call a

for oil drilling companies for weapons manufacturers for defense contractors so robert gates legacy is one of just another millionaire who came from the boardrooms of big oil of the defense industry of wall street and who has sent now over two million young people our husbands live families to fight in wars that benefit only wall street and big oil robert gates legacy is one of thousands of dead u.s. soldiers tens of thousands of amputees and epidemic record suicides record military spending and of course complete destruction for iraq and afghanistan and really the six total countries that are being bombed by the united states by the pentagon this second robert gates wants to see for himself what his legacy is he should spend just one day with a grieving family in the united states in iraq or afghanistan or in pakistan who has lost a loved one in these wars for profit to stephen let me go to you do you think that there was a change for gates as he went through this job over the years oh there really was not a change at all. is there was a paragon of a head of the city employed with

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their long overdue finner role for nato association there could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. now let's take a look at some other stories from around the world and in turkey really prime is high bird on has won a third term in office with just fifty percent of the vote the ruling justice and development party takes power but fails to gain parliamentary seats required to ensure a constitutional change though thousands cheered the victory cross the country celebrations turned sour in the south western city as police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. some flights have resumed in a strangely after earlier disruption and ash cloud has left over fifty thousand passengers stranded fears remain that the ash plume can severely damage aero engines and erupted in chile over a week ago and has already forced air traffic in several south american countries to come to a standstill. nature's beauty as dangers explored in ou

secretary of defense robert gates leaves three wars to deal with for his successor many question whether the incoming cia chief will turn the pentagon or some around . but from our headquarters in central moscow here watching our team with me and he said now it's two pm here in the russian capital one pm in athens greece is picking up the pieces from the latest bout of civil unrest when thousands of angry protesters flooded the streets that's after a part of the men gave the green light to tough new cots in order to secure a further financial one fine from the e.u. demonstrators clashed with police in the capital on the second day of a general strike financial journalist in los witnessed the under arrest you can still. smell the chemicals that were sprayed when i walked into the hotel i have my eyes started to tear up again and they haven't dropped anything since last night so it's really just residue and things that are coming out. and in fact one of the things that is circulating around here today is a very. it shows police not just police brutality yesterday was a lot of that but also

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their long overdue food or role for nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture. for the united states and europe and russia. and a reuters news features and else is lined up for you our website nationalist i can hear even doubt of his being laid to rest in moscow after he was shot dead last week by gone to r.t. dot com to find out more about the plot of earth the surrounding this race card on all the coverage along with expert opinion is available online right now. in american hands a missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war games with the ukrainian navy but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security for all the dispute by c.r.t. . there is growing and israeli feeling in europe with calls an e.u. and u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and their politicians remain silent activists rallying to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people daniel

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their loan of or do you figure all four nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. and all the latest news feature is an analysis lined up for you on our website national aside when you were laid to rest in moscow with massive protests expected later in the day. to find out more about the controversy surrounding the disgraced colonel all the coverage along with opinions online right now. in that american anti-missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war games with the ukrainian navy but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security follow the dispute by logging on to our . there's a growing anti israeli feeling in europe with calls an e.u. and us governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and all politicians remain silent activists rally to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people daniel bosso has more from brussels. a

secretary of defense robert gates has announced his retirement after almost five years in the job but with three ongoing wars involving america his replacement former cia director leon panetta isn't expected to make dramatic changes to pentagon policies and each camp has a story. whoever's in the white house in the pentagon it's business as usual robert gates was secretary of defense to two different presidents obama was elected on a promise to end the wars of his predecessor george w. bush but america's worse continued and one more was even added to the plate of the inconclusive campaign to leave yet when administrations change or change between parties there really isn't a great deal of change in the pentagon under robert gates his watch america's annual defense spending approach the trillion dollars rising at the pace of about five percent a year but statements from his office were often contradictory fan spending that nearly doubled the base budget over the last decade the gusher has been turned off and will stay off the u.s. is supposed to leave iraq by the end of the year but it

but robert gates says he understands the president's decision. >> the president has to take into account on any national security issue sustainability here at home both among the public and in the congress. and it goes without saying that there are a lot of reservations in congress about the war in afghanistan and our level of commitment. there are concerns among the american people who are tired of a decade of war.

this argument will let up against the proposal from defense secretary robert gates who is in afghanistan. he is pushing for a more modest drawdown of u.s. forces. gates told troops in kandahar that he is confident the u.s. will strike the correct balance on the issue and that leading as many combat troops as long as possible in afghanistan is "a no-brainer." >> if it were up to me, i would leave the shooters to last. nobody wants to give up the gains that have been won at such a hard cost, and nobody wants to give our allies the excuse to run for the exits. >> i leave the shooters -- he means leave the combat troops come home. >>> he also thanked service members for their sacrifice. remember, he is leaving. he choked back some tears as did he that. >> more than anybody except the president, i'm responsible for you being here. i'm the person that assigned signed the deployment papers that got you here. and that weighs on me every day. i feel your hardship and your sacrifice and your burden, and that of your families more than you can possibly know. you are, i believe the best country has

not tonight." ♪ >>> we're back with robert gates, outgoing pentagon chief. i watched you over the past couple weeks. you have made a lot of appearances and said good-bye to the troops in afghanistan, and there has been emotional fair wells to the troops which i think are understandable, and the mission of the toll that has taken on you, and watching and knowing you are partly responsible for these young men and women going overseas and into war, and then this caught a lot of attention at west point at the end of the february. >> in my opinion, any future defense secretary who advices the president to send a big american land army into asia or into the middle east or africa should have his head examined, as general macarthur so delicately put it. >> the totality of the speech was about the army needing to readjust what it does and how it trains and that kind of thing, but i can't help but wonder whether you are leaving with regrets? as i watch you, i think you are sorry about some things and i can't figure out what it is. were these the right wars? >> well, i

from everything i've read, sir, you agree with secretary of defense robert gates that there's too much talk about leaving and not enough talk about getting the job right. sir, how do we get the job right? >> well, it's give the troops a chance to do their job. i mean, i admire the president's decision to send in the 30,000 troops. and it's made a tremendous difference. as you mentioned, i've walked around villages in afghanistan within the past few weeks that i could never have walked around just a year ago. but any time you start setting

it it's a farewell tribute to robert gates. this is the last day on the job for the outgoing defense secretary who oversaw two wars and military operations around the world. president obama set to deliver the remarks. we will take it live as soon as he steps up to the mike. >>> less than 24 hours after president obama ripped congress for taking too much time off of work, the senate leader responds. just minutes ago, democrat harry reid canceled next week's holiday recess so lawmakers can focus on the debt crisis and that approaching deadline. kate bolduan actually broke the news to us. >> reporter: senate majority leader harry reid seemed to be jumping off the july fourth theme when he made the announcement saying with liberty comes great responsibility and because of that the senate will forgo -- read that as canceling their july fourth scheduling break, which would be next week, in order to stay in town because they simply have too much work to do, having to do with negotiating and trying to strike a deal on the debt cuts to

well still ahead a surprise for defense secretary robert gates at his farewell ceremony. we tell you about the honor he received from the president. the special attention that the governor of texas is getting as he visits sacramento today. could he be laying a groundwork for presidential run? ident obama said goodbye today to robert gates by giving him the highest honor a president can give a civilian. gates spent four-and-a-half years on the job working for both obama and bush administration. abc karen traverse has more. >> reporter: today a final salute for robert gates. >> one of our face's finest publicer is vants. >> mr. obama gave gates the presidential medal of freedom, the highest civilian honor. award came as a surprise. >> getting pretty good at this overt op stuff. >> his career spans four decades. working for eight different presidents in the national security division, including the c.i.a. director. in november of 2006 president george w. bush asked gates to replace controversial donald rumsfeld at the pentagon. gates said from the beginning one of his top re

defense host: secretary robert gates, his speech -- host: defense secretary robert gates, his speech before the naval academy. it is available at c-span.org in our video library. as the tabloids can only do, both of these stories have been dominating the political arena. he did so yesterday in brooklyn, n.y., a senior citizen center. here is what he had to say. >> i am here again today to apologize for the personal mistakes that i have made and the bears might have caused. i make this apology to my neighbors -- and the embarrassment i have caused. i make this apology to my neighbors and particularly to my wife. i hope to continue the work that my citizens in my district elected me to do, to fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it. unfortunately, the destruction i have created had made that impossible. today, i am announcing my resignation from congress. so my colleagues can get back to work, my neighbors can choose the new representatives and most important, that my wife and i can continue to shield from the damage i have caused. host: amid a chaotic scene, congres

. >>> still ahead, defense secretary robert gates speaks out about the future of afghanistan on the eve of his [ banker ] mike and brenda found a house that they really wanted. it was in my sister's neighborhood. i told you it was perfect for you guys. literally across the street from her sister. [ banker ] but someone else bought it before they could get their offer together. we really missed a great opportunity -- dodged a bullet there. [ banker ] so we talked to them about the wells fargo priority buyer preapproval. it lets people know that you are a serious buyer because you've been credit-approved. we got everything in order so that we can move on the next place we found. which was clear on the other side of town. [ male announcer ] wells fargo. with you when you're ready to move. >>> defense he talked about the future of afghanistan and stood up for the president on some could decisions on libya. brian moore has the latest. >> back sergeant billy r.wyland. >> reporter: outgoing defense secretary robert gates confirms the united states is talking with the taliban. in an effort to e

secretary of defense, robert gates. the somali defense minister has died in a bomb attack. there was an explosion in his home and the body of a woman was also found in the house, and it is believed that she was the attacker. another bailout for greece as german lawmakers have approved of the second rescue package amid warnings that greece is on the lake edge of defaulting. the bailout is said to be about more than just helping greece. >> the euro is on the edge and the stability of the common currency is occupying the lawmakers. risk -- greece is said to need a second bailout. >> the situation is very serious. >> despite reservations by the european central bank, it is said that private investors should make contributions to a second rescue package. >> thi minimizes the risk of negative reactions on capital markets to make certain that the border -- the burden is shared between taxpayers and private creditors. and this shows up their own losses cannot just be passed on to the taxpayer. >> the opposition party says that this is a sham. >> the banks have sold a large part of

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to the loan of or do you fear a role for nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. and all the latest news features and analysis lined up for you in our web site. nationalist i can you were able dot of will be laid to rest in moscow was massive protests expected later this hour to find out more about the controversy surrounding his grace all the coverage along with expert opinion is available online right now plus. an american anti-missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war games with the ukrainian navy but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security for all the dispute by along on terror. there is growing anti israeli feeling in europe with calls an e.u. and u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and politicians remain silent activists rally to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people daniel bushell has more f

just yesterday, diane sawyer asked general david petraeus and robert gates about yemen -- >> reporter: what do we do about al qaeda now in yemen? >> well, i think we maintain the focus. >> reporter: a new special forces strategy? >> there's one already, i can assure you. >> when we find them, we take them out. >> reporter: but that key strategy, using armed drones, is now threatened as well. the chaos in yemen means intelligence gathering and coordination for the drones is far more difficult. and it is vitally important to america in its efforts to find the world's most dangerous terrorist, who uses his perch in yemen to influence terror around the globe. >> and martha, you are here, but how vulnerable are the people in that u.s. embassy there? >> reporter: well, the u.s. embassy has been heavily fortified but they fortified it even more now. in the last few weeks, they sent in 60 u.s. forces to surround that embassy. clearly, very worried, and there is an evacuation plan if it comes to that. >> all right, martha raddatz, who, as we say, has traveled to yemen so many times. thank you.

officials including robert gates have admitted that they actually hold the iraq asks for a continued presence past the withdrawal deadline at the end of this year and as we wait for president obama to make an announcement about exactly what a troop withdrawal in afghanistan is going to look like robert gates continues to tell nato that there is no rush for an exit that's a lot of wars a lot of quagmires if you will that were struck at all the more reason to talk about how leon panetta is going to handle them once he takes over to the current director of the cia was on capitol hill today answering questions before the senate about how he would handle the role of the secretary of defense if confirmed and that if is pretty much an absolute he's expected to be confirmed easily so will he be able to be any different than his predecessors in handling america's war machine here to discuss this with me is lieutenant colonel anthony shaffer senior fellow at the center for advanced defense studies and still serving as a reserve tenet colonel tony thanks so much for being here tonight reading f

gates was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to their long overdue funeral for nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. now let's take a look at some other stories from around the world and in turkey growing problem is hybrid on has won a third term in office with just fifty percent of the vote the ruling justice and development party in the takes power but fails to gain parliamentary seats required to ensure a constitutional change though thousands cheered the victory across the country celebrations turned sour in the one south western city as police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. some flights have resumed in australia after earlier disruption and ash cloud has left over fifty thousand passengers stranded fears remain that the ash plume can severely damage aero engines and the volcano erupted in chile over a week ago and has already forced air traffic in several south american countries to come to a standstill. nature's beauty as danger

was probably too polite so robert gates to close that final chapter to the loan of or do you figure all four nato association that could be one of the most significant input on the new security architecture for the united states europe and russia. and all the latest news features and analysis lined out for you and our website that's the sky can you read the dots will be laid to rest in moscow with massive protests expected later in the day. to find out more about the controversy surrounding the disgraced colonel all the coverage along with expert opinions and your bottom line right now. an american anti-missile war ship has sailed into the black sea ready for war. but russia says its presence close to the country's southern border threatens national security follow the dispute by logging onto our t.v. dot com. there is growing anti israeli feeling in europe with calls and e.u. and u.s. governments to stop ignoring the occupation of palestinian land and politicians remain silent activists rally to draw attention to the plight of the palestinian people daniel bushell has more from bru

officials including robert gates of admitted that they actually hope the rock asks for a continued presence past the withdrawal deadline at the end of this year and as we wait for president obama to make an announcement about exactly what a troop withdrawal in afghanistan is going to look like robert gates continues to tell nato that there is no rush for an exit that's a lot of wars a lot of quagmires if you will that we're stuck at all the more reason to talk about how leon panetta is going to handle them once he takes over so the current director of the cia was on capitol hill today answering questions before the senate about how he would handle the role of the secretary of defense if confirmed and that if is pretty much an absolute he's expected to be confirmed easily so will he be able to be any different than his predecessors in handling america's war machine or discuss this with me is the tenet colonel anthony shaffer senior fellow at the center for advanced defense studies and still serving as a reserve tenet colonel tony thanks so much for being here tonight reading starters why do

but defense secretary robert gates had to say about the future of that nation. >> we will put today's weather in the win column. >>> you are watching abc7 news at 6. on your side. >>> five service members are dead after a deadly attack in iraq. they served as advisers to iraqi and security police. the deadliest single day for american security forces in two years. the service members names have not been released. 2500 american troops have been killed in iraq. >>> defense secretary robert gates says the u.s. should stay the course. he spoke with troops today in his final trip to the wars on. he says it is too soon to end the war in afghanistan and urged fellow leaders to be more strategic with soldiers on the front line. he said more pressure is necessary before the taliban will concede to peace talks. >>> on the hill tonight, a new bill for debit card fees. it would push it back for 15 months so banks and retailers are actively lobbying in a vote could come as soon as wednesday. >>> just had a -- ahead >> it's hard. >> the emotional toll of a wildfire. >> we have a short break before

well still ahead a surprise for defense secretary robert gates at his farewell ceremony. we tell you about the honor he received from the president. the special attention that the governor of texas is getting as he visits sacramento today. could he be laying a groundwork for presidential run? ♪ [ ukulele strumming ] ♪ [ folksy whistling ] [ man ] quitting is a fight you can't let yourself lose. it can take many tries. but keep trying, you will beat smoking. honey, you okay? yeah, i'm fine. ♪ [ ukulele ] years on the job working for both obama and bush administration. abc karen traverse has more. >> reporter: today a final salute for robert gates. >> one of our face's finest publicer is vants. >> mr. obama gave gates the presidential medal of freedom, the highest civilian honor. award came as a surprise. >> getting pretty good at this overt op stuff. >> his career spans four decades. working for eight different presidents in the national security division, including the c.i.a. director. in november of 2006, president george w. bush asked gates to replace controversia