U.S. Senate Committee Approves Defense Nominee

President Bush (left) announcing Gates's nomination on November 8 (epa) WASHINGTON, December 6, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has approved Robert Gates to serve as defense secretary.

Earlier, Gates told the committee that the United States was not winning in Iraq and all options for improving the situation were on the table. He also warned that the unrest there could spill over into a wider regional conflict.

(Reuters, AP)