President Bush has nominated former CIA Director Robert Gates to replace Donald Rumsfeld. WSJ reports, “In the summer of 2004, Gates and former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski co-chaired a task force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations that argued for opening a dialogue with Iran. The task force’s report ["Iran: Time for a New Approach"] contended that the lack of American engagement with Iran had harmed American interests, and advocated direct talks with the Iranians.”
UPDATE: The Federation of American Scientists notes Gates’ Iran/Contra ties: “Owing to his senior status in the CIA, Gates was close to many figures who played significant roles in the Iran/contra affair and was in a position to have known of their activities.”
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