Analysis Summary:

The article appears mostly accurate based on the provided snippet, reporting Robert Gates's opinion on judging Putin's intentions. The claim about Gates's statement is plausible and aligns with his known expertise. There's no readily apparent bias in the snippet.

Detailed Analysis:

• Claim:** Robert Gates said he isn't sure if you can judge Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in a face-to-face meeting.
  • Verification Source #1, #2, #3, and #4: These sources do not directly confirm or deny this specific statement. They provide background on Gates and Putin, but do not cover the specific claim.
  • Verification Source #5: This source is irrelevant as it discusses VA Secretary Doug Collins.
  • Internal Knowledge: Based on general knowledge of Robert Gates's career and public statements, this claim is plausible. He is known for his cautious and analytical approach to foreign policy.
• Claim:** Gates believes President Trump is "getting the sense" that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is tapping him along."
  • Verification Source #1, #2, #3, and #4: These sources do not directly confirm or deny this specific statement.
  • Verification Source #5: This source is irrelevant.
  • Internal Knowledge: This claim is also plausible, given the context of the time period when Trump was president and the discussions surrounding his relationship with Putin.

Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:

• The provided sources do not directly support or contradict the claims made in the article snippet.
• Verification Source #1, #2, #3, and #4 provide background information on Robert Gates and Vladimir Putin, but do not address the specific statements attributed to Gates in the article.
• Verification Source #5 is completely irrelevant.
• The plausibility of the claims is based on general knowledge of Robert Gates's views and the political climate at the time.