Former US spy chief takes over Pentagon

Robert Gates is taking over as US secretary of defence at a crucial juncture in the Iraq war, a conflict that cost Donald Rumsfeld his job and likely will define Gates’ Pentagon tenure.

Gates was scheduled to take the oath of office today in a private event at the White House in Washington, then heading to a public swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon at 1.15pm (6.15pm Irish time), where the military brass and senior civilian officials are eager to see what changes he may bring.