Robert Gates was selected to replace Donald Rumsfeld as secretary of defense. He is a former director of which government agency?

Robert Gates served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1991 to 1993 before later becoming the Secretary of Defense. His experience in intelligence and security matters was particularly significant in shaping his approaches to defense policies. The CIA plays a crucial role in national security through intelligence gathering and analysis, making Gates' background in this agency relevant to his later responsibilities as Secretary of Defense. His leadership at the CIA provided him with a strong understanding of the challenges and complexities of national security, which he applied in his subsequent roles in government.