Leon Panetta

As the President has stated, we intend to fulfill our obligations under the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement.

I expect that, if confirmed, I will need to direct a review of all aspects of military compensation including retirement.

In order to ensure Total Force integration, I would work to use the Guard and Reserve in partnership with the Active Forces.

I support U.S. accession to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (LOS Convention).

I also hope that we will continue to do what we can to strengthen our relationship with China as it becomes more of an economic powerhouse.

If we want to protect the weapons systems, if we want to protect our capabilities for the future, we have to be able to have good R&D at the same time.

We have an obligation to provide a quality education to dependents of our servicemembers.

A security agreement with Afghanistan that provided for a continuing relationship and some kind of joint facilities and so on for training, for counterterrorism, and so on beyond 2014 I think would be very much in our interests.

The United States will continue to hold detainees in accordance with the authority provided by the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, as informed by the law of war.

there is no question in my mind that the United States is the fundamental leader right now in the world in a number of ways, and having the military strength to back up that kind of leadership is very important.

The pace and scope of the drawdown should take into account security and other conditions on the ground.

The transition plan is solid, and my understanding is that we are on track to fully implement it.

I support a responsible, conditions-based drawdown as called for by the President.

DOD would continue to be accountable to the American people for what we spend, where we spend it, and what the results are.

We have made progress in each of these areas sufficient to enable the President to make his decision about the drawdown and its extent.

I think it is extremely important in today's world, where there are so many challenges and so many threats that we are confronting, that we maintain a strong military in order to deal with those kinds of threats.

Our goal has been to cooperate with Russia where we have common interests but not at the expense of our principles or our friends.

If we all look the same, our mission will suffer. If we all think the same, failure is certain.

We need to weaken the Taliban.

We have begun a transition process that will ultimately put Afghans in the lead for security nationwide by 2014.

If the Department requires additional authority, I will not hesitate to seek the necessary Congressional authorization.

Any reductions in the Army and the Marines Corps will be based on security considerations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as around the globe.

Protecting our military forces from radiation exposure is one of the Department's highest priorities.

I will support the President's decision.

I will vigorously investigate any indication of wasteful year-end spending.