photo by: AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is pictured in this file photo.

With questions swirling about the management of the Pentagon, a former U.S. Secretary of Defense will be delivering remarks on Wednesday in Lawrence.

Robert Gates, who served as defense secretary under both George W. Bush and Barack Obama, will be the keynote speaker at a University of Kansas conference that examine national security issues that exist between the U.S. and China.

Gates’ speech is open to the public, and will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dole Institute of Politics on KU’s West Campus. Gates will be interviewed by Jerry Seib, the former Washington bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, who is now a fellow at the Dole Institute.

Gates served as secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011, serving in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He originally was appointed by President George W. Bush, but was kept in the role by President Barack Obama, following Obama’s election.

Gates — who was born in Wichita and graduated high school there — also had a long career at the CIA and the National Security Council before serving as the defense secretary. In between government appointments, Gates became president of Texas A&M University, where he served from 2002 to 2006.

Gates will be the second former U.S. Defense Secretary to speak at KU in less than a year. Chuck Hagel, who served in the Obama administration, spoke at the Dole Institute in October.

Gates’ appearance is part of the 7th Annual Intelligence & National Security Colloquium hosted by KU. The event will continue throughout Thursday. Gen. Robert Brown, former commander of all U.S. Army forces in the Pacific, and Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, a former director of intelligence for the U.S. Navy will be keynote speakers on Thursday. The Thursday events are open to the public, but reservations are requested. Reservations can be made at iccae.ku.edu/2025-ku-security-conference.

The theme of this year’s conference will be to understand how China currently views America, and how China’s geopolitical objectives may impact U.S. national security. KU hosts the conference as part of its partnership with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. KU is among a handful of universities in the country that offer specialized classes and a certification program for students interested in a career in the national security field.