Addressing the House Armed Services Committee Thursday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the international community may need to place additional sanctions against the Assad regime. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Monday that the he is embarrassed by the role the U.S. military played in President Barack Obama’s scandal-plagued trip to Columbia.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters Monday that intelligence shows this weekend’s coordinated attacks in the Afghan capital were likely carried out by the Haqqani network, a band of extremists from Pakistan.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta held a telephone meeting with Japan’s Defense Minister Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka Tuesday amid concerns that a defiant North Korea will continue with an alleged long range missile test later this month. “Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Tanaka reiterated their view that such a missile…

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta tells reporters that everybody he spoke with during his Central Asia trip agrees with the Afghan strategy as it now stands. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has since issued a statement requesting a speedier transition of security responsibilities. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

An Afghan civilian who stole a small pick-up truck on Camp Bastion airfield Wednesday was likely attempting to harm the welcoming party awaiting Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s arrival, Pentagon spokesperson Capt. John Kirby told reporters Thursday. The suspect allegedly stole the vehicle from a coalition soldier and then sped onto…

UPDATE (1:21 pm) Pentagon Press Secretary George Little has issued the following response to the Karzai statement: Secretary Panetta enjoyed a very detailed and productive set of discussions in Afghanistan with Interior Minister Mohammadi, Defense Minister Wardak and President Karzai. These discussions reaffirmed our shared goal of achieving an Afghanistan…

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters Tuesday that despite the brutal slaying of 16 Afghan civilians, the U.S. should continue to fulfill its mission in Afghanistan in order to bring the war to a responsible end. (0:11) [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

En-route to Kyrgyzstan, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta commented on Sunday’s brutal killings in Afghanistan. “War is hell,” Panetta said, noting that similar incidents have occurred in previous wars. He added that this likely won’t be the final tragedy in the Afghan conflict. (0:17) [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Tuesday reaffirmed the administration’s claims that Israel has not yet committed itself to carrying out a military strike against Iran.