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Pentagon chief urges end to sex assault 'scourge'

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told cadets Saturday that they must stamp out the "scourge" of sexual assault within the military, as US leaders grappled with the growing problem. Hagel's call came amid a wave of high-profile sexual assaults in the military has prompted outrage and calls for new legislation. Next month, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the heads of all five military branches will make a rare appearance together before lawmakers to testify on the issue and proposals to address it.

Sexual assault is a 'scourge' on U.S. military, Hagel says

(Reuters) - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called sexual assault a "scourge" on Saturday as he addressed graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where a sergeant stands accused of videotaping female cadets in the showers. "Sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military are a profound betrayal - a profound betrayal - of sacred oaths and sacred trusts," Hagel said. "This scourge must be stamped out."

Hagel vows defense commitments to Japan, including nuclear umbrella

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday stressed U.S. defense commitments to Japan, including the nuclear umbrella, in the face of growing missile threats from North Korea, while reiterating that Washington is against any action to weaken Japan's administrative control of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Hagel urges caution on Syria chemical weapons claims

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel urged caution Wednesday over an Israeli claim Syria's regime used chemical weapons, saying it was "serious business" and any evidence had to be weighed carefully. Warning against a possible rush to judgement, Hagel indicated he had been caught off guard by allegations from an Israeli general this week that Syria had fired chemical agents against rebels in recent months.

Pentagon chief meets Netanyahu at end of Israel visit

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel met Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday at the end of a three-day trip which saw him touting strong backing for Israel despite differences over Iran's nuclear project. With US-Israeli relations strained over questions about the imminence of the threat posed by a nuclear Iran and Hagel dogged by his past criticisms of Israel, the Pentagon chief has stressed his full-throated support for the Jewish state in his first visit as defence secretary.

Pentagon chief meets Netanyahu at end of Israel visit

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel was meeting Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday at the end of a three-day trip which saw him touting strong backing for Israel despite differences over Iran's nuclear project. With US-Israeli relations strained over questions about the imminence of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear programme and Hagel dogged by his past criticisms of Israel, the Pentagon chief has stressed his full-throated support for the Jewish state in his first visit as defence secretary.

Hagel touts arms deal on Israel trip

Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel and his Israeli counterpart on Monday hailed a major arms deal as a sign of "ironclad" US support for the Jewish state after talks on Iran's nuclear drive and Syria's war. The US defence secretary, who has been accused of being too critical of Israel, sought to convey a message of solidarity on his first visit to the region since he took office two months ago.

Hagel finalises arms deal on Israel trip

Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel met his Israeli counterpart Moshe Yaalon on Monday to put the finishing touches on a major arms deal and for talks on Syria's civil war and the Iranian nuclear threat. Speaking at a joint news conference in Tel Aviv, Hagel confirmed the two had finalised details of a multi-billion dollar arms deal which will see Israel receiving an impressive package of advanced US missiles and aircraft.

US-Israel arms deal sends Iran 'clear signal'

A major US arms deal with Israel sends Iran a "very clear signal" that military action remains an option to stop it from going nuclear, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Sunday. Hagel's comments came shortly before his arrival in the Jewish state at the start of a six-day regional trip likely to be dominated by worries over Iran's nuclear programme and Syria's civil war.

US-Israel arms deal sends Iran 'clear signal'

A major US arms deal with Israel sends Iran a "very clear signal" that military action remains an option to stop it from going nuclear, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Sunday. Hagel's comments came shortly before his arrival in the Jewish state at the start of a six-day regional trip likely to be dominated by worries over Iran's nuclear programme and Syria's civil war.
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