Verdict still out on retiring U.S. defense secretary
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Some defense analysts have upbraided him for killing the F-22 program, saying the United States needs such weaponry to maintain its edge on the battlefield.
Jed Babbin, a former deputy undersecretary of defense, wrote in a column earlier this month contending that Gates, as a long time Washington insider, listens more to liberals in Congress than to the military, although Leed said there are no great tensions between Gates and the military.
In a speech in 2008, Gates blasted what he billed as "next war-it is" -- the tendency to look too much toward the next conflict and not focus enough on the current one.
"In abandoning the culture of 'next war-it is' Gates reversed not only technological advancement but also the forward-thinking mentality that led to the rise of generals such as David Petraeus and James Mattis, the new CENTCOM commander," Babbin argued.
The secretary imposed cuts in major new weapons systems before waiting for the completion of the Quadrennial Defense Review, which is designed to provide the analytical basis for defense budgets and weapon acquisitions, Babbin charged.
Kyle Spector, policy advisor at Third Way, said Gates' legacy is not limited to Iraq and Afghanistan, as Iraq will be remembered as the purview of the George W. Bush administration.
"The legacy of Iraq and Afghanistan is distinctly tied to (former Defense Secretary) Donald Rumsfeld and President Bush," he said.
But the exit from the Iraq war, and to some extent the war in Afghanistan -- he re-oriented policy there -- could be tied to Gates' legacy, although it is more likely to be associated with Obama's presidency.
"A lot of that will probably rest on Obama's shoulders in the long run, more than Secretary Gates," he said. "He's seen as a good soldier for the men he's worked for, more than the leader on foreign policy."
As for who might replace Gates, the administration has made no statement.
"It might be tough to find somebody with the same amount of gravitas and ability to not only reform the military but to work Washington the way Gates has been able to do," he said. And it's going to be interesting to see if Obama can find somebody who has that same kind of stature, respect and ability."
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