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Panetta, a reluctant defense secretary, left Pentagon mark

February 14, 2013 02:45
* Defense chief sought to remove barriers for women, gays * Son of Italian immigrants brought 'fiery energy' to job -Dempsey * Flamboyant opponent of "meat ax" budget cuts By David Alexander WASHINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - On his last trip abroad as U.S. defense secretary, Leon Panetta was asked what he thought of "Zero Dark Thirty," the movie about the intense manhunt and daring raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

UPDATE 2-Pentagon urges delay in 'devastating' $46 bln budget cuts

February 13, 2013 10:47
* Cuts would force unpaid leave for civilian staff * Military sees 'immediate crisis' in readiness * Researcher disagrees: Security not deeply compromised By David Alexander and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's civilian and military leaders warned in dire terms on Tuesday that $46 billion in budget cuts due to go into effect in two weeks would erode the nation's ability to go to war and appealed to Congress to delay the reductions.

N.Korea a 'serious threat' to US: Panetta

February 12, 2013 11:30
North Korea is a "serious threat" to the United States and Washington must be prepared to deal with it, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Tuesday after Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test. "We saw what North Korea has done these last few weeks with a missile test and now a nuclear test," the outgoing defense secretary said at a military farewell ceremony. "North Korea represents a serious threat to the US. We've got to be prepared to deal with that."

Pentagon extends some benefits to same-sex partners

February 11, 2013 19:15
The Pentagon officially extended some military benefits to same-sex partners Monday, but said provisions like medical coverage would not be offered to gay troops' spouses due to legal barriers. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is due to retire this month, said the decision stemmed from the repeal 17 months ago of a ban on openly gay recruits serving in the military. "It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country," Panetta said in a statement.

UPDATE 1-Pentagon backed plan for U.S. to arm Syrian rebels

February 7, 2013 17:45
* Obama had rebuffed plan, fearing deeper U.S. involvement in Syria * U.S. State Department, CIA chiefs had suggested the plan * McCain again wants U.S. military action to stop killing (Adds details, comments) By Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that they had supported a recommendation to arm Syrian rebels promoted by the State Department and CIA but which President Barack Obama ultimately decided against.

US defense chiefs backed arming Syria rebels

February 7, 2013 16:30
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday admitted for the first time that the Pentagon had backed proposals to arm the Syrian opposition battling to oust President Bashar al-Assad. The idea was first floated by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who met privately with David Petraeus, then CIA chief, in the summer of 2012 as the fighting raged in Syria. They proposed vetting rebel groups and training fighters in a plan which they presented to the White House, according to the New York Times, citing administration officials.

Pentagon backed recommendation for U.S. to arm Syrian rebels

February 7, 2013 16:16
WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that they had supported a recommendation to arm Syrian rebels promoted by the State Department and CIA but which was reportedly rebuffed by the White House. President Barack Obama's government has limited its support to non-lethal aid for the rebels who, despite receiving weapons from countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are poorly armed compared to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army and loyalist militias.

US military is not a 911 service: Panetta

February 7, 2013 13:45
The US military is not a 911 service ready to rush to every emergency around the world, Pentagon chief Leon Panetta told lawmakers Thursday, defending the response to an attack on a mission in Libya. He also urged a Senate committee to help remove the threat of deep automatic budget cuts set to hit the Defense Department from March 1, calling them one of the greatest risks to America's national security.

UPDATE 1-Pentagon delays carrier's Mideast deployment over budget woes

February 6, 2013 21:15
* Pentagon faces $46 billion in cuts over seven months * Seeks smaller-than-expected military pay raise for 2014 * Threatened cuts follow a decade of growth By David Alexander WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta delayed deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East on Wednesday because of budget uncertainty, hours after warning that congressional inaction on financial matters threatened U.S. security.

'Dysfunction' in Congress puts US at risk: Panetta

February 6, 2013 19:16
Chronic deadlock in Congress threatens to derail the US economy, damage national security and undermine public trust in its leaders, outgoing US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Wednesday. In his last major policy address days before he retires, the Pentagon chief blasted lawmakers for what he called a lack of leadership that has produced escalating budget crises.
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