Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen briefed reporters. Secretary Gates, who was participating in his last press conference before his retirement at the end of the month, began by recommending Admiral Jonathan Greenert as next chief of naval operations. In his comments he praised the press corps and talked about his relationship with the media. Other topics included U.S.-Pakistan relations, the Afghanistan war and troop withdrawal time table, the unrest in Yemen and Syria, and NATO operations in Libya. He and Admiral Mullen reacted to the appointment of the new al-Qaida leader as well as the Defense Department budget and spending cuts.