Leon Panetta

The time has come for Iraq to take control of its destiny.

I think that the one thing I have seen time and time again is that Prime Minister Maliki in Iraq and other countries in that region basically reject what Iran is trying to do, view Iran as having a destabilizing influence in that part of…

In February 2009, President Obama laid out a clear and achievable goal shared by the American and Iraqi people: an Iraq that is 'sovereign, stable, and self-reliant.'

if maximum sequestration is triggered, DOD would face huge cuts in its budgets.

In my view, the U.S.-ROK alliance remains one of the cornerstones of U.S. strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and is as strong and viable today as it has ever been.

What we once considered inexhaustible and resilient is, in fact, finite and fragile.

[t]he evidence that our oceans face a greater array of problems than ever before in our nation's history surrounds us.

We're still in negotiations with the Iraqis.

Not only should that be a non-starter from a national security and economic perspective, but it should also be a non-starter from a moral perspective.

I have got a responsibility to defend this country. And neither Congress nor the President did away with the challenge of terrorism.

Absolutely. I thank you for your leadership on that issue. It is an issue that I am paying a lot of attention to because women are performing in an outstanding fashion for the Department of Defense. They put their lives on the line.

If the Members of Congress would be willing to engage in the same kind of sacrifice, then I think they will have earned the right to represent those constituents in Congress.

We made an agreement with Japan related to the situation in Okinawa. Obviously we continue to stand by that agreement.

We have got to look at the threats that are out there.

I believe everything has to be on the table.

I think we need a full range of capabilities in order to be able to address the threats of the future and the threats of the present.

We will look to procurement reforms and improve competition, cost control and delivery when examining modernization operating costs.

Despite it all, we really have built the finest, most experienced, most battle-hardened, All-Volunteer Force in our Nation's history.

I think that is an area where I don't think we ought to do that unilaterally, we ought to do that on the basis of negotiations with the Russians and others.

I truly believe that we do not have to make a choice between fiscal security and national security.

We have still got to deal with them.

I view that as a very important benefit for the families that are out there.

I believe our strategy in Afghanistan is critical to the disruption, dismantlement, and ultimate defeat of al-Qa'ida.

The dysfunctionality of Congress and its inability to confront the issues that we face now.

These conflicts have brought untold stresses and strains on our service members, and obviously on their families as well.