Robert Gates running interference against Cheney on Iran?

I'm always a shade dubious about these vague characterizations in Britain's Telegraph, but file this one away as a possibility, something to watch for, as we see the tips of the iceburgs battle over an attack on Iran.

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has taken charge of the forces in the American government opposed to a US military attack on Iran, writes Tim Shipman.

Pentagon and State Department officials say Mr Gates has set himself up as chief rival to Dick Cheney in a bid to thwart the vice president's desire to bomb the Islamic state.

Gates' main tactic is to encourage(allow?) his military underlings to speak of overstretch.

Pentagon sources say Mr Gates is waging a subtle campaign to undermine the Cheney camp by encouraging the army's senior officers to speak frankly about the overstretch of forces, and the difficulty of fighting another war.

That's hardly digging in the heels or threatening resignation.