- American, French journalist killed in Syrian bombardment of Homs (+video)
- Nuclear talks with Iran? Senators implore Obama to draw line in the sand.
- Climategate sequel? Scientist lies to get Heartland Institute documents.
- High gas prices: How big a problem for Obama?
- Obama sings the blues with Mick Jagger, B.B. King (+video)
Topic: Leon Panetta
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Threats to US: Pentagon officials drop three surprises
Pentagon’s key intelligence officials warned of 'current and future worldwide threats' to US national security in a congressional hearing Thursday. Here are three top surprises.
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Pentagon budget: top 3 winners and losers
In Pentagon parlance, the word “cut” is a relative term. The Defense Department’s base budget decreases from $553 billion this year to $525 billion in 2013, but it rebounds steadily to $567 billion in 2017. With this in mind, here are the top three winners and losers:
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Q&A: What's with the war talk surrounding Iran?
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have escalated in recent weeks as the US and Europe ramp up sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
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In Pictures: Leon Panetta's career
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In Pictures: Obama's West Wing
All Content
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Backchannels
The Iran war party and the war skeptics
In one corner, we have the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the heads of the US and Israeli intelligence communities, and the Pentagon. In the other corner, we have TV pundits and politicians.
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Threats to US: Pentagon officials drop three surprises
Pentagon’s key intelligence officials warned of 'current and future worldwide threats' to US national security in a congressional hearing Thursday. Here are three top surprises.
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Special Forces in Afghanistan: not just taking out terrorists anymore
As conventional forces withdraw from Afghanistan, US Special Forces will take the lead in training Afghan soldiers and police – a task that takes Special Forces back to their roots.
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Why Pentagon, facing 'doomsday' spending cuts, refuses to plan for them
Pentagon brass say they won't even brook the possibility that $487 billion in mandated spending cuts – their 'doomsday' scenario – will actually come to pass. But if Congress doesn't blink, say analysts, the Pentagon will be in dire straits.
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Deadlock on Syria: Likely crimes against humanity, but no plan of action
Turkey's foreign minister discussed Syria for hours with US officials Monday, but no 'road map' for action resulted, even as the top UN human rights official warned of crimes against humanity.
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Could talks over Iran nuclear crisis work? Turkish diplomat offers hints.
Turkey's foreign minister, in the US to discuss Syria and the Iran nuclear program, insists that the time for negotiations with Iran is not passed – and says Iran is willing to talk.
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Marines: Nazi flag was mistaken for their own
Marines caught posing with a Nazi flag say they thought the SS symbol was meant to represent their own sniper scouts team.
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What happens when troops - and money - leave Afghanistan?
The drawdown of foreign troops – now slated for 2013 – could destabilize Afghanistan's economy – or, according to some, help stem rampant corruption.
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Backchannels
US colonel: Don't believe US statements on progress in Afghanistan
Lt. Col. Daniel Davis just finished a year in Afghanistan and says don't believe claims of progress.
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Terrorism & Security
Israel's public campaign against Iran has West on edge
Israel's steady stream of warnings against Iran troubles Western leaders, who worry that Israel will act unilaterally.
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US troops in Afghanistan: How big is shift from 'combat' to 'assistance'?
The US plan to end its combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2013, shifting to an 'advise and assist' role, may not mean a huge change for troops on the ground.
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Terrorism & Security
Plan for early end to US combat role catches Afghan officials by surprise
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced Feb. 1 that the US could end its combat role in Afghanistan by mid-2013 even as concerns about Taliban strength rise.
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Backchannels
With Americans holed up in Cairo embassy, Egypt's lobbyists in DC quit
It takes a lot to get K Street to distance itself from a regime. Egypt's ruling military junta has manged the feat by investigating a group of American NGO workers for criminal prosecution.
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IAEA visit: It's showtime for Iran's nuclear denials
The IAEA team's three-day visit marks the first opportunity for Tehran to rebut allegations of a covert Iranian nuclear weapons program that were made public in November.
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Pentagon budget: top 3 winners and losers
In Pentagon parlance, the word “cut” is a relative term. The Defense Department’s base budget decreases from $553 billion this year to $525 billion in 2013, but it rebounds steadily to $567 billion in 2017. With this in mind, here are the top three winners and losers:
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Carl Levin: Mitt Romney criticism of Obama defense budget not factual (+video)
In recent Republican presidential primary debates, Mitt Romney has blasted President Obama's plan to trim defense spending. Senator Carl Levin says his criticism is just politics.
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SEAL Team 6 rescue in Somalia frees two from pirates' lair (+video)
SEAL Team 6 members raided a compound in Somalia early Wednesday to free two hostages held by pirates since October. The raid signals that US 'will not tolerate' abductions of Americans, Obama said.
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American, Dane rescued by US commandos inside Somalia
Members of Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama bin Laden, rescued the hostages from pirates inside Somalia.
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Pentagon report: Sexual assault in the military up dramatically
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta vowed to reduce sexual assaults within the military with a series of new initiatives. Some say, though, that the initiatives were already mandated by Congress.
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How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs
In order to reach its goal of at least $480 billion in Pentagon savings over the next decade, the Obama administration must scale back previous schemes for a new generation of strategic nuclear weapons delivery systems.
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Backchannels
Israel says ... Iran isn't building a nuclear weapon
If Israeli media reports are correct, Israel shares the US and European views of Iran: That it isn't seeking a nuclear weapon at the moment.
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The perfect storm: Three ways to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions – short of war
Partly by design and partly by happenstance, a three-pronged US strategy for checking Iran's nuclear program and the regime in Tehran is emerging: an unprecedented combination of sanctions, covert action, and a Syria-inspired protest movement within Iran.
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Terrorism & Security
Israel, US postpone missile-defense drill to avoid provoking Iran
The missile-defense drill had been trumpeted as showing US commitment to Israel's security. Some Israeli officials criticize President Obama for excessive caution in an election year.
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Urination video: Outcry aside, history suggests minimal punishment for Marines (+video)
Experts say that despite the strong language from the Pentagon over the video showing Marines urinating on dead Taliban, the military's record for prosecuting similar crimes has been lackluster.
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Backchannels
Marines urinating on the dead? This is war.
The video of US marines urinating on dead Taliban fighters has shocked many. But the dehumanizing of the enemy was much worse back in the day.
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