Topic: Leon Panetta
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Top 3 threats to the United States: the good and bad news
The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community is out this week, a widely-anticipated report compiled by the nation’s intelligence agencies. Here is the good and bad news about the top three threats facing the United States, according to an unclassified version of the report.
-
Briefing
Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.
An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.
-
Briefing
Defense cuts: three things Americans should know
The US House approved a bill in July that’s likely to spark a showdown on military spending.
-
Iran's nuclear program: 4 things you probably didn't know
Do the US and Israel believe that Iran has a nuclear weapons program? Did President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really promise to "wipe Israel off the map"? The answers may surprise you.
-
US tax time: A later deadline and other tax facts
Thanks to a holiday in Washington, D.C., the federal tax-filing deadline this year is April 17, two days later than usual. The extra time provides an opportunity to peruse some random tax-related facts.
All Content
-
Top 3 threats to the United States: the good and bad news
The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community is out this week, a widely-anticipated report compiled by the nation’s intelligence agencies. Here is the good and bad news about the top three threats facing the United States, according to an unclassified version of the report.
-
Controversy spurs Pentagon's Hagel to review new 'Nintendo' medal
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will reconsider new Distinguished Warfare Medal, for which drone operators are eligible. Critics complain it ranks higher than the Bronze Star or Purple Heart – awards for acts of valor in physical combat.
-
Backchannels Taliban attacks in Afghanistan not down after all
The NATO-led coalition said a data entry error led to a claim last week that Taliban attacks had fallen 7 percent last year. In fact, there's little change. So what did we get for the surge?
-
John Kerry hints at more aid for Syria rebels. Does that mean arming them? (+video)
The answer could come Thursday, when Secretary of State John Kerry and other Western officials are to gather in Rome for a meeting with at least some of Syria’s divided opposition groups.
-
Governors brace for sequestration
Knowing the impending spending cuts will affect their states, governors from both parties are preparing to face the economic impact from the sequestration.
-
Governors: Automatic cuts could undermine economy
Budget stalemate in Washington worries Democratic and Republican governors. Automatic spending cuts March 1 cut stall recent economic gains, they warn.
-
Obama administration warns of grim consequences when cuts kick in
To raise awareness, the Obama Administration is pointing to specific programs and departments that would be affected by automatic budget cuts set to begin March 1, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Parks Service.
-
Vox News Rush Limbaugh: Why is he 'ashamed' of US?
Rush Limbaugh, on his radio show Thursday, bemoaned how the political parties and media are portraying the impact of the automatic spending cuts that are set to take effect March 1.
-
NATO meeting: Chuck Hagel misses his debutant ball
With the nomination of Chuck Hagel in limbo, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta travels to Brussels to warn other NATO defense chiefs about effects from US budget battles.
-
Pentagon braces for furloughs in sequester: How big a hit to economy? (+video)
Thousands of Defense Department civilian employees could be furloughed if Congress proceeds with the automatic federal spending cuts poised to take effect in March under the sequester.
-
Briefing
Why did North Korea explode a nuclear device?Despite - or perhaps because of - strong international pressure, North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test to date. Now analysts say that hopes for improved relations are on hold.
-
DOD furloughs: a four-day work week for Pentagon?
DOD furloughs would affect 'vast majority' of 800,000 workers, Defense secretary tells Congress. DOD furloughs could shave 20 percent off of pay and last 22 weeks.
-
Focus
US 'pivot to Asia': Is John Kerry retooling it?A focus of American resources on Asia was a major priority when Hillary Rodham Clinton was secretary of State. But it is unclear if John Kerry will follow her approach exactly, many regional analysts say.
-
Focus
How US military plans to carry out Obama's 'pivot to Asia'A US policy shift toward Asia means a greater role for the Navy. Even pre-'pivot to Asia,' it already stationed half its ships in the region, and it is developing a new 'afloat forward staging base' in the Pacific.
-
New nation, new love: Israel's first soldiers forged lasting bonds on the frontlines
Many of the fighters in Israel's most elite pre-independence fighting unit, the co-ed Palmach, fell in love and formed unions that have lasted to this day.
-
Medal of Honor recipient: Taliban 'simply couldn't have' outpost
Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor for preventing the Taliban from overrunning his outpost in 2009. Tuesday he was inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.
-
Pentagon offers limited benefits to same-sex partners of US troops
The Pentagon said Monday it will offer benefits, for the first time, to same-sex partners of military personnel. Hospital visitation and on-base child care are part of the package; health care and housing are not.
-
Obama girds for State of the Union address. His Republican opponents do too.
President Obama will face a tough crowd of Republicans during his State of the Union address Tuesday night. They probably won't like what they hear about taxes and spending.
-
The Monitor's View: Obama's hidden nonplan to arm rebels in Syria
News that Obama vetoed a plan by his senior security staff to arm Syrian rebels reveals the extent of his humanitarian impulse. But he must also protect the new UN doctrine of a 'responsibility to protect' by being more open about his Syrian strategy.
-
Pentagon leaders: We support plan to arm Syrian rebels
Senator John McCain (R) of Arizona has championed greater US involvement and chided the Obama administration at a hearing, pressing Panetta and Dempsey about whether they backed the recommendation by the State Department and CIA chiefs last year to arm the Syrian rebels.
-
Alabama hostage rescue: why some secrets will remain in the bunker
The rescue Monday of a 5-year-old Alabama boy from an underground bunker involved lots of secrecy on the part of law enforcement. Not all questions are likely to be answered as to how federal authorities extracted him.
-
Alabama standoff over but FBI mum on how boy was rescued
Jimmy Lee Dykes, who took a 5-year old boy hostage, was killed in a law enforcement raid. Neighbors heard a bang and gunfire, but details of the rescue remain secret. A Christian community's prayers are answered.
-
Cybersecurity: how preemptive cyberwar is entering the nation's arsenal
In addition to authorizing the use of cyberweapons, the White House is preparing an executive order to beef up cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, such as the electric grid, refineries, and telecommunications.
-
After his rough Senate hearing, Chuck Hagel gets a boost from backers
His confirmation hearing performance was universally described as 'lackluster' at best – and far worse by many accounts. But Defense Secretary-nominee Chuck Hagel got some support Sunday, including another Republican backer in the Senate.
-
Iran says US offer of direct talks a 'step forward, but...'
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi responded positively to the US offer, but blamed previous negotiation failures on the US.
Become part of the Monitor community