Leon Panetta Defense Secretary

Honoring Women Who Serve

Nancy K. Kaufman | Posted 05.31.2012

Nancy K. Kaufman

It is disturbing that many women service members believe that they are in more danger of experiencing sexual assault from their male comrades in arms than they are of being felled by enemy fire.

Massacre Story Sparks Both Outrage and Reflection

David Tereshchuk | Posted 05.16.2012

David Tereshchuk

Amid the worldwide horror and revulsion over nine Afghan children and seven adults evidently murdered by a US soldier, it was remarkable how, in the wake of the shootings, the Afghan media were so restrained in their coverage.

Military Budget Cuts: No Big Deal or Excellent Opportunity?

Patricia DeGennaro | Posted 03.04.2012

Patricia DeGennaro

Secretary Panetta is set to come out with his new "strategy" to offer his assessment on how to cut the military budget. The question: will it be the same old or will he have the courage to mandate what truly needs to be done to build a stellar military for America's national security needs?

Groundbreaking Pentagon Official Makes Big Move

AP | ROBERT BURNS | Posted 02.11.2012

WASHINGTON — Michele Flournoy, the most senior female Pentagon official in history, told The Associated Press on Monday she is stepping down as ...

Leon Panetta, Terrified of Fighting Previous American Militaries

Barry Eisler | Posted 02.07.2012

Barry Eisler

If Panetta had been interested in logical relevance, though, he wouldn't have referred to the past at all. He would have focused on the present, and in the present, we spend more on our military than the rest of the world spends combined.

The Washington Establishment Presents Itself with Awards

David Boaz | Posted 02.06.2012

David Boaz

This story is not new, but it's such a perfect encapsulation of the Washington establishment that it's still worth looking at.

Leon Panetta Blames the Victim

Abraham H. Foxman | Posted 02.03.2012

Abraham H. Foxman

The notion that Israel is primarily responsible for deteriorating relations with Turkey, Egypt and the Palestinians, as claimed by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, is more than simply inaccurate. It is disturbing and potentially dangerous.

Max J. Rosenthal

Defense Secretary Blasts Congressional 'Dysfunctionality'

HuffingtonPost.com | Max J. Rosenthal | Posted 12.13.2011

WASHINGTON -- Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sharply criticized Congress for its han...

Panetta On Libya Mission: 'The Critics Have Been Proven Wrong'

AP | LOLITA C. BALDOR | Posted 12.07.2011

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy — Top military commanders in the Libyan mission told Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Friday that they are near...

Panetta Meets Egyptian Leaders, Urges Release Of U.S.-Born Man Accused Of Spying

AP | LOLITA C. BALDOR | Posted 12.04.2011

CAIRO — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he urged Egyptian leaders to release a U.S.-born man being held for allegedly being an Israeli spy, ...

Panetta Issues Warning On Israel, Urges Peace Talks

AP | LOLITA C. BALDOR | Posted 12.02.2011

ON BOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East, an...

Lawmakers Seek To Delay DADT Repeal

AP | By DONNA CASSATA | Posted 11.16.2011

WASHINGTON -- Two top Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee have asked Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to delay the new policy allowing gay...

Where's the Plan for Defense Spending? (Updated w/Video)

Joe Sestak | Posted 10.30.2011

Joe Sestak

Secretary Panetta's role is to be accountable only to the young men and women who serve us, not to the defense complex.

Pentagon Chief: Cuts Would 'Terribly Weaken' The U.S.

AP | By ROBERT BURNS | Posted 10.17.2011

WASHINGTON -- Large new cuts in defense spending would "terribly weaken" U.S. national security, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday as he and...

Pentagon Says Foreign Hackers Stole 24,000 Military Files In March

The Huffington Post | Gerry Smith | Posted 09.13.2011

Foreign hackers infiltrated the network of a defense contractor in March, stealing 24,000 military files in a single intrusion, Deputy Defense Secreta...

Panetta Blunt But Unsteady In First Overseas Trip

AP | ROBERT BURNS | Posted 09.11.2011

BAGHDAD — At once blunt and bubbly, poised but prone to gaffes, Leon Panetta showed on his first overseas trip as Pentagon chief that he has fra...

Panetta: U.S. Within Reach Of Defeating Al-Qaeda

AP | ROBERT BURNS | Posted 09.08.2011

Robert Burns Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan -- Al-Qaida's defeat "within reach," U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Saturday during his ...

New Pentagon Chief Faces Mountain Of Problems

AP | By ROBERT BURNS | Posted 08.31.2011

WASHINGTON -- On his first day as Pentagon chief, Leon Panetta said his top priorities are preserving U.S. military power despite budget cuts, defeati...

Senate Panel Approves Leon Panetta As Next Defense Secretary

AP | Posted 08.14.2011

WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved Leon Panetta to be the nation's next Pentagon chief. The panel unanimously approv...

From Gates to Panetta: Room for Improvement

William Hartung | Posted 08.13.2011

William Hartung

If Gates were all he's made out to be, Panetta's job would be much easier. In reality, Panetta will need to undo some of Gates' most notable policies if he is to have any hope of bringing defense spending into line with new fiscal realities.

Panetta: Every Part Of Defense Budget 'Must Be On The Table'

AP | LOLITA C. BALDOR and DONNA CASSATA | Posted 08.09.2011

WASHINGTON — Leon Panetta, President Barack Obama's choice to head the Pentagon, predicted on Thursday that Iraq will ask the United States to k...

David Wood

Obama's National Security Shuffle

HuffingtonPost.com | David Wood | Posted 06.27.2011

WASHINGTON -- In a high-level reshuffle of his national security team, President Barack Obama intends to move CIA Director Leon Panetta to the Pentago...

David Wood

The Unfinished Legacy Of Robert Gates

HuffingtonPost.com | David Wood | Posted 06.27.2011

WASHINGTON -- When President George W. Bush put Robert M. Gates at the helm of the Pentagon in November 2006, more than a few Washington hands wonder...

AP: Obama Settles On New Leaders For CIA, Defense Department

AP | By ANNE GEARAN and KIMBERLY DOZIER | Posted 06.27.2011

WASHINGTON -- Administration sources say President Barack Obama plans this week to name CIA Director Leon Panetta to replace Defense Secretary Robert ...