Amid the shuffling going on in Washington during the transition, it's good to see some stability and continuity in one key area — the Pentagon. President-elect Barack Obama's apparent pick to run the show, at least for a year, will continue to be Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

That's a smart move. With the nation's economic turmoil rightly Obama's top priority, Gates' understanding and proven leadership in Iraq and Afghanistan will help us continue to chart the right course regarding war policy. Gates, who took over in 2006 after former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's tumultuous tenure, was architect of the most successful strategies in Iraq to date. Gates wisely listened to commanders on the ground, namely Gen. David Petraeus, and revised the timetable for withdrawal to accommodate the "surge," which military leaders say has resulted in a reduction in casualties. And he negotiated an agreement signed last week with the Iraqi parliament that provides a sensible policy for the incoming administration. This policy allows for a shift in troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, while supporting stability for Iraqis by allowing some U.S. forces to remain there until 2011.

Gates also showed the ability to hold his own folks accountable, something notably absent from Rumsfeld's regime. When the horrific treatment of veterans was uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the secretary of the Army failed to respond, Gates fired him and vowed to fix the problem. And in the wake of serious security breaches involving nuclear weapons that were allowed to be erroneously carried by Air Force jets above the United States, he terminated the Air Force secretary. Gates has rightly left no ambiguity on what the national security standards are under his watch.

Gates may not represent the "change" that was Obama's campaign mantra, but he does represent Obama's willingness to choose what's in the best interest of the country, regardless of political affiliation or personal loyalty. And both are agreed on key policy positions: They share the same strategy for Afghanistan, and both have said diplomacy should come before the use of force in dealing with foreign policy hurdles.

Democrats and Republicans alike, as well as key military leaders have applauded Obama's choice. Gates, a former CIA director, is well respected on both sides of the political aisle, has held intelligence and national security posts under four presidents — and above all has done a good job as secretary of defense.

He's the right man for the job, at a time when the nation cannot afford anything less.