“Hired by George Bush in 2006 to salvage the war in Iraq,” you introduce a veritable eulogy of Robert Gates, “he is trying to do the same in Afghanistan for Barack Obama” (“A Lucky Hawk So Far,” August 8, 2009). In short, the American defense secretary has already “salvaged” the war in Iraq. But it is enough to read your article on this matter in the very same issue to see that Iraq is still a complete and total mess (“We Don’t Need You Any More”). I am thus willing to bet in connection with your ruminations about his retirement plans that he will choose to give up his post sooner rather than later. As soon as possible, as a matter of fact. That way history will not judge him too harshly when the salvage of the war in Afghanistan goes the same way as that in Iraq—nowhere.