Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticized Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama for placing a months-long hold on hundreds of senior military promotions, saying he's making the military "a pawn" in the political fight over abortion. Tuberville's hold "further politicizes the military," Gates told "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan in an interview Friday. "It makes the military a pawn in what is otherwise civilian political debates." And, he added, it's affecting "the chain of command on … having an orderly process of succession and command positions that really matter." Senior military promotions are usually approved by speedy, noncontroversial unanimous…