Terrorism still Enemy No.1: Robert Gates

Washington, Jul 31: US Defense Secretary Robert M Gates believes that terrorism will continue to be "Enemy No.1". According to a new National Defense Strategy that he approved last month, Gates says that winning the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not end the "Long War" against violent extremism and that the fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists should be the nation's top military priority over coming decades.

The strategy document, which is yet to be released, calls for the military to master "irregular" warfare rather than focusing on conventional conflicts against other nations. According to the Washington Post, Gates also recommends partnerships with China and Russia in order to blunt their rise as potential adversaries.

According to the 23-page document, "Success in Iraq and Afghanistan is crucial to winning this conflict (against terrorism), but it alone will not bring victory."

Gates acknowledges that a new president will soon reassess threats and priorities, but he perceives this document as a "a blueprint to success" for a future administration.

ANI