Robert M. Gates, President Bush’s nominee to succeed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow for his confirmation hearing. We asked six defense and foreign-policy experts to tell us what questions the senators should ask.

Vice President Danielle Pletka

1. Will you exchange the current “train and leave” approach to the war in Iraq for a clear-and-hold victory strategy, which may include increasing troop levels, abandoning standard rotations (now limited to one year), replacing commanding generals and bypassing spending restrictions to obtain crucial equipment?

2. You have in the past suggested that the United States should have a direct dialogue with Iran. Is it your view that Iran’s sponsorship of terrorist groups in Iraq, Lebanon and the West Bank and Gaza could end as a result of direct dialogue? If by dialogue you mean negotiation, what do you suggest the United States offer Iran in exchange for an end to its pro-terrorist foreign policy?

3. Are you prepared to undertake a sweeping review of the state of the American military and its ability to respond to identified national security threats? Are you prepared to increase the size of the ground forces?

Danielle Pletka is vice president for foreign and defense policy studies at AEI.