RSSGates says he wants to know more about role contractors play in intelligence
Gates investigates role contractors play in intel
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he wants to know more about the role contractors might be playing in war zones when it comes to collecting intelligence. Gates told reporters on Monday that he is looking into allegations that a Defense Department official ran an off-the-books spy operation in Afghanistan and Pakistan that relied on contractors. Gates says he has concerns with such a program “in principle,” but wants to know more about it and whether it was useful. Gates said: “If it’s necessary to make some changes, I’ll do that.”
By Anne Flaherty, AP
Monday, March 22, 2010
US official ran private spy network in Pak, Afghanistan
March 15th, 2010
more imagesWASHINGTON - A US Defence Department official had set up a private network to help track and kill suspected militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan under the cover of a benign government information-gathering program, military sources have revealed. Michael D. Furlong hired contractors from private security companies that employed former C.I.A.
Gates meets with troops fighting Taliban in southern Afghanistan
March 9th, 2010
Gates meets with troops in southern AfghanistanKANDAHAR, Afghanistan — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is getting a closer view of the Afghanistan war Tuesday, with a visit to troops fighting the Taliban in the country's rugged south.
Clarification: Independent Contractors story
February 19th, 2010
Clarification: Independent Contractors storyNASHUA, N.H. — The Associated Press reported Feb.
Pentagon's Inspector General recommends military track sexual assault of military contractors
February 12th, 2010
IG: Pentagon should track assault of contractorsWASHINGTON — The Pentagon is setting up a system to track sexual assaults of people working as military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Defense official Gail McGinn says in a memo to the Pentagon's Inspector General that it expects to begin doing so this year.
Clinton says Blair to play bigger role in Mideast peace process, support US envoy Mitchell
February 11th, 2010
Clinton says Blair to play bigger role in MideastWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is going to play a bigger role in efforts to get Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks by intensifying his partnership with special U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell.
Pak likely to walk out of Afghan summit over India being offered greater role by West
January 21st, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is likely to walk out from the forthcoming summit on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in London on January 28, in protest against India being touted to play a greater role in Afghanistan by the West. "The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been told to make it very clear to major sponsors of the international conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Dubai (on 26 January) and London (28 January) that Pakistan would never accept India's major role in reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan," The Nation quoted reliable sources, as saying.
Gates to convince Pak about India's 'greater role' in Afghanistan
January 20th, 2010
ISLAMABAD - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates will be arriving in Pakistan on Thursday (January 21) with an aim to convince the Pakistani leadership of India's 'greater role' in Afghanistan and allay Islamabad's apprehensions on the issue. While the US considers India an important ally that can play a major role in stabilising war torn Afghanistan and is eyeing a military role for it, Pakistan has raised serious objections over New Delhi's involvement in developmental works in that country.
Gates appreciates India's role in Afghanistan
January 20th, 2010
NEW DELHI - Visiting U S Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday praised India's humanitarian and reconstruction work in war torn Afghanistan. Speaking to the media here, Gates said: "The President's strategy represents a long term commitment to the Afghan people and the people of all South Asia.
