The Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia
Bob Gates: Better Perhaps Than 'Clueless' Rumsfeld

“Maybe at this point it's enough for the incoming Secretary of Defense to acknowledge America's failed foreign policy.”

EDITORIAL

December 7, 2006
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Who's to say whether the new U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, will be any different from the clueless Donald H. Rumsfeld in looking for a solution to the Iraq War debacle.

After all, Gates was handpicked by President George W. Bush as Rumsfeld's successor, and Bush still says he sees "victory" in Iraq.

But there's something refreshing about a man who pulls no punches about the likelihood of dealing successfully with the civil war. He acknowledged on Wednesday to a Senate panel, which ultimately approved his nomination, that the United States was not winning in Iraq and that American failure there could ignite "a regional conflagration" in the Middle East.

He told the panel, "My greatest worry if we mishandle the next year or two and leave Iraq in chaos is that a variety of regional powers will become involved in Iraq, and we will have a regional conflict on our hands."

Granted, he is stating the obvious. The difference is that it is not obvious to the Bush Administration.

So we offer hearty congratulations to the new Secretary of Defense for his refreshing candor.

While Gates appears flexible in dealing with Iraq, he also noted that a rapid military withdrawal might not be the answer. Even Iraq's neighbors - with some exceptions - agree on that point. And he also said that the Iraq Study Group's report would be important but not "the last word."

"It's my impression that frankly there are no new ideas on Iraq," Gates said. "The question is: Is there a way to put pieces of those different proposals together in a way that provides a way forward?"

It's becoming increasingly clear that from the beginning of the invasion until now, Iraq has been a bungled affair. And it's also clear that there may be no right answer on how the U.S. can extricate itself from this mess.

Maybe at this point it's enough for the incoming Secretary of Defense to acknowledge America's failed foreign policy. And just maybe Gates is the right man to lead America out of Iraq and keep Iraq relatively intact.

We can only hope.