Riyahd--Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss efforts to put pressure on Iran, stabilize Yemen and to urge the Saudis to engage with Iraq ahead of the US withdrawal.
Gates, fresh from a three-day visit to Afghanistan, also may discuss Kabul's attempts to pursue reconciliation with Taliban insurgents.
US defense officials, briefing reporters ahead of the trip, said Gates will meet King Abdullah and discuss US efforts to impose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
