Pentagon boss Bob Gates plans to remain at his post at least through 2010. He entered the job under the Bush Administration, replacing Donald Rumsfeld in December 2006, and has remained there at the request of President Obama. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told Pentagon reporters late last week that Obama and Gates “agreed to revisit this issue again later in the year, but for all intents and purposes, their original agreement still stands: [Gates] serves at the pleasure of the President indefinitely, and he is honored to do so.” (AFPS report by Jim Garamone)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.