"If we are willing to stand together, we can prevail. It will not be quick, and it will not be easy – but it can be done," said Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in his speech at the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy talking about the challenges the NATO member countries are facing. The Conference was held in Munich from February 8-10, 2008. Munich again welcomed top-ranking politicians and experts in foreign and security policy from all over the world. Around 250 participants featuring about 30 foreign and defense ministers debated the issues of "World in Disarray - Shifting Powers - Lack of Strategies". Around 40 ministers and three presidents attended the conference. Altogether, 250 delegates from 50 countries had come to the Bavarian capital for the event. The U.S. delegation was led by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the U.S. congressional delegation by Senator Joe Lieberman.