Leon Panetta

I will ensure that the Department undertakes a thorough policy review to identify the best strategies to reduce the impact of tobacco products on our servicemembers and their families.

I agree that co-development is in both our strategic and fiscal interest and support the idea.

The United States and Russia conducted a robust and successful missile defense exercise program, with five exercises conducted between 1996 and 2006.

At the Lisbon conference, 48 nations plus President Karzai made the decision that there would be a transition going towards 2014, and it would be then that, hopefully, we would be able to transfer responsibility.

I will ensure that DOD continues to work closely with VA to support servicemembers and their families.

There are compelling national security arguments for fundamentally changing the regulations and procedures we have had in place since the Cold War for determining what weapons and dual-use equipment and technology may be exported and under…

I look forward to supporting the administration's continued engagement with the Senate toward favorable consideration of U.S. accession to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (LOS Convention).

I agree with the law, yes.

I support this plan.

I will do everything I can to keep America secure so that it can be free.

It is my intention to keep Congress fully informed of U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy.

To be free, we must be secure. That is my pledge to you if I am confirmed as Secretary of Defense.

Absolutely. I think that region is very important to us from a strategic point of view.

I trust our military leadership to make the right decision based on their assessment of the conditions on the ground.

Actual conditions on the ground will drive the ultimate rate and sequence of transition, but the 2014 goal remains a realistic target for a responsible transition.

I will also be a tireless advocate for our troops and their families.

They also need to understand that by trying to advance in the China Sea, they can't interfere with our ability to navigate in that part of the world.

Yes, everything must be on the table.

I strongly believe that the Navy has to project our force throughout the world and that the Navy is obviously crucial to that mission.

If the GOI requests the presence of U.S. forces beyond 2011, I will consider the missions the GOI is asking our forces to perform...

I believe that waterboarding crosses the line, the use of that tactic with regards to interrogations.

In all our engagements, we remind our Russian counterparts of Russia's obligation to respect the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of its neighbors.

For our troops, there is no shortage of war.

Enabling our foreign partners to provide for their own security and contribute to multilateral security efforts is an investment that pays immediate and long-term dividends by reducing the need for costlier U.S. interventions in response…

I share your concern about where are they going to draw the resources they need not only to sustain the army and the police force, but to be a country, to be able to carry on their responsibilities.