Pentagon chief nominee says U.S. is not winning in Iraq

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Robert Gates, picked by U.S. President George W. Bush to head Pentagon, said Tuesday that the country is not winning the war in Iraq and risks regional disasterin one or two years.

    However, as recently as October, Bush said the United States was winning the war.

    At his Senate confirmation hearing, Gates gave no timeline for ending the conflict in Iraq, but repeatedly referenced "the next year or two" when discussing U.S. options. Full story>>

    Rumsfeld resigns, to be replaced by ex-CIA director

President Bush listens to Robert Gates speak after Bush announced that Gates will replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense, at the White House Nov. 8, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)Photo Gallery >>>

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush announced Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was stepping down, and would be replaced by former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Robert Gates.

    Bush made the announcement one day after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in the legislative elections and was just one seat short of capturing control of the Senate. Full story>>