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US Military Hit by Budget Cuts, But North Korea Defense Intact - Hagel

April 11, 2013 16:18
The US military has been hard hit by sweeping budget cuts, but has not lost its capacity to stand up to an attack by North Korea, defense officials said Wednesday. “We have every capability to deal with any action North Korea would take, to protect this country, and the interests of this country, and our allies,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a briefing on the Pentagon’s 2014 proposed budget, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti. Hagel said the “sequester” - sweeping government budget cuts that took effect last month - has cut some $41 billion from the defense department bud

U.S. defense capability intact despite budget cuts

April 11, 2013 15:47
The United States military has been hard hit by sweeping budget cuts, but has not lost its capacity to stand up to an attack by North Korea, defense officials said Wednesday. “We have every capability to deal with any action North Korea would take, to protect this country, and the interests of this country, and our allies,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a briefing on the Pentagon’s 2014 proposed budget. Hagel said the “sequester” -- sweeping government budget cuts that took effect last month -- has cut some US$ 41 billion from the defense department budget for fiscal y

Hagel laments 'political' changes to US defense budget

April 11, 2013 14:31
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday criticized changes made by US lawmakers to last year's defense budget as purely political and contrary to the department's future as envisioned by Pentagon leaders. Hagel expressed frustration that -- despite Pentagon efforts to trim programs it deems bloated -- members of Congress have reintroduced expendable programs, apparently to please constituents in their home districts.

Defense Secretary Hagel to visit Israel this month

April 10, 2013 16:18
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will pay a first visit to Israel since taking office later this month to bolster the allies' cooperation in the Middle East, an Israeli official told Reuters on Tuesday. Hagel and his counterpart, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon who is also newly appointed, discussed the visit by phone last month, the Israeli Defence Ministry said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel to visit Israel this month - official

April 9, 2013 01:45
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will pay a first visit to Israel since taking office later this month to bolster the allies' cooperation in the Middle East, an Israeli official told Reuters on Tuesday. Hagel and his counterpart, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon who is also newly appointed, discussed the visit by phone last month, the Israeli Defence Ministry said. The official said Hagel would visit between April 21-23.

Hagel urges changes to US military judicial system

April 8, 2013 19:15
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday said US commanders should be barred from overturning criminal convictions, in the wake of anger over a quashed guilty verdict in a sexual assault case. Under Hagel's proposal, which would have to be approved by lawmakers, commanders would still have the power to alter sentences handed down in court martial cases, defense officials said. "These changes, if enacted by Congress, would help ensure that our military justice system works fairly, ensures due process, and is accountable," Hagel said in a statement.

Hagel tells US military to brace for further belt-tightening

April 6, 2013 16:38
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has warned the US military to brace for more belt-tightening as he conducts a review that could cut the number of generals, pare back the civilian workforce and stem the spiraling cost of new weapons. Hagel, in his first major policy speech as Pentagon chief, told students at the National Defense University that the United States could not allow its current budget crisis to force it to retreat from the world.

Pentagon chief reassures Singapore leader of rebalance toward Asia

April 6, 2013 12:49
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday reassured Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the U.S.

Hagel cites 'growing threat' from NKorean nukes

April 4, 2013 15:31
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is calling North Korea's development of nuclear weapons a "growing threat" to the U.S. and its allies. In a telephone call Tuesday evening to Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, Hagel cited North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and said Washington and Beijing should continue to cooperate on those problems. A Pentagon statement describing the phone call also disclosed that Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit China later this month.

'Everything on table' as US cuts defense

April 3, 2013 14:31
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday said the Pentagon must "put everything on the table" as it struggles to digest major spending cuts forced by last month's sequester. In a major strategy address delivered at the National Defense University, Hagel vowed to press ahead with plans to trim the US military while insuring it can tackle 21st century challenges like terrorism and cyber attacks.
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