Robert Gates spoke about the future of NATO in his final speech as Defense secretary. He warned of a "dim, if not dismal" future for the transatlantic alliance if members fail to increase defense spending and their commitment to military operations. He stressed that the U.S. is shouldering most of the cost of NATO missions in Afghanistan and Libya, and said that it will be increasingly difficult to convince the American public to support the transatlantic alliance without a greater contribution from European allies.