Democrats decry delay in vote for Hagel as defense chief

Published on February 14, 2013

Chuck Hagel's nomination to be U.S. defense secretary went into political limbo on Thursday as Republicans stepped up blocking tactics and Democrats accused them of putting the country at risk by delaying the filling of a major security post.

Ehud Barak coming to Washington for consultations

Published on February 11, 2013

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is traveling to Washington to meet with top defense officials.

Senate panel sets Tuesday vote on Hagel nomination

Published on February 11, 2013

A U.S. Senate panel plans to vote on Tuesday afternoon on the bitterly contested nomination of Chuck Hagel as President Barack Obama's new secretary of defense, the committee said on Monday.

Pentagon lifts U.S. ban on women in combat

Published on January 24, 2013

The Pentagon lifted its ban on women in front-line combat roles on Thursday in a historic step toward gender equality in the U.S. armed forces after 11 years of nonstop war, during which the front lines were often not clearly defined.

Obama nominates Hagel as Defense Secretary, Brennan for CIA

Published on January 7, 2013

President Barack Obama on Monday nominated Chuck Hagel, a former Republican senator, as his next defense secretary and counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to head the CIA, urging the U.S. Senate to confirm them quickly.

Obama to nominate Kerry for sec. of state

Published on December 21, 2012

President Obama is set to nominate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) as secretary of state.

The Hagel dialectic: Defenders and detractors tussle over Israel record

Published on December 19, 2012

The expected nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as the next defense secretary has sparked an outcry from segments of the pro-Israel community.

Obama administration pledges more funding for Iron Dome

Published on November 30, 2012

The Obama administration will seek additional funding for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile program in the wake of its successes in the most recent Israel-Hamas war.

Obama administration pledges more funding for Iron Dome

Published on November 30, 2012

The Obama administration will seek additional funding for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile program in the wake of its successes in the most recent Israel-Hamas war.

Barak: U.S. deployment against Iran ‘impressive’

Published on September 7, 2012

Israel's defense minister, Ehud Barak, called the recent deployment of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf "impressive" and suggested that the United States is prepared to deal with Iran.

Israel to U.S.: Time running out in Iran nuclear dispute

Published on August 1, 2012

Israel warned visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday that time was running out for a peaceful settlement to the nuclear dispute with Iran, saying sanctions and tough talk over possible military action were failing to sway Tehran.

August 1, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on August 1, 2012

Panetta: no Iran attack plans to be discussed with Israel

Published on July 31, 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta denied media reports on Tuesday that he would discuss possible military attack plans against Iran during a brief visit to Israel.

July 31, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on July 31, 2012

An angry Netanyahu is good for Iran negotiations

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on May 21, 2012

Panetta announces $70 million for Iron Dome near term

Published on May 17, 2012

The Obama administration said it would rush $70 million to Israel in order to enhance its Iron Dome missile defense system, with more money in the pipeline.

Amid new Iran nuke rumors, Barak and Panetta to meet

Published on May 16, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with his U.S. counterpart, Leon Panetta, in Washington amid reports that Iran may have achieved the capability to build a nuclear bomb.

Panetta hopes Gantz is ‘correct’ on Iran assessment

Published on April 27, 2012

Leon Panetta, the U.S. defense secretary, said he hoped Israel's top soldier was "correct" in assessing that the Iranian regime was rational.

White House: Obama didn’t discuss bunker busters with Netanyahu

Published on March 8, 2012

A White House spokesman denied reports that President Obama promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bunker-buster bombs and refueling planes that could help in a military strike against Iran.

U.S. official: Netanyahu asked Panetta to approve sale of bunker-busting bombs

Published on March 6, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the United States approve the sale of advanced refueling aircraft as well as GBU-28 bunker-piercing bombs to Israel during a recent meeting with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, a top U.S. official said on Tuesday.

Panetta: U.S. will act on Iran if all else fails

Published on March 6, 2012

The United States will act against Iran if all efforts to end its suspected nuclear weapons program fail, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said.

Top Israeli official: Conflicting U.S. remarks hurt efforts to press Iran

Published on March 1, 2012

Though Israeli officials are deeply divided over whether Israel should attack Iran in the coming months, they are united on one point - a flood of contradictory statements about Iran's nuclear program by U.S. officials in recent weeks is undermining efforts to increase pressure on Tehran.

Barak to meet with Panetta in Washington

Published on February 27, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is traveling to Washington to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Leon Panetta, and other key U.S. security officials.

Panetta: Israel has not decided to attack Iran

Published on February 14, 2012

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a Senate committee that he does not believe Israel has decided definitely to attack Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Panetta believes Israel may strike Iran this spring, report says

Published on February 3, 2012

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes there is a growing possibility Israel will attack Iran as early as April to stop Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, U.S. media reported on Thursday.

Panetta: It would take Iran one year to make nuclear bomb

Published on January 30, 2012

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said it would take Iran approximately one year to build a nuclear bomb.

Panetta: Iranian nuke is a ‘red line’

Published on December 20, 2011

An Iranian nuclear weapon would be a "red line" for Israel and the United States, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said.

Remarks on Israel by three U.S. officials spark furor

Published on December 7, 2011

The Obama administration is reaping a whirlwind of criticism in the wake of pointed remarks about Israel by several U.S. officials over three days.

Panetta: Israel must address its growing isolation

Published on December 2, 2011

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called on Israel on Friday to take diplomatic steps to address what he described as its growing isolation in the Middle East.

Panetta leaves Egypt without Ilan Grapel

Published on October 5, 2011

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta left Egypt without Ilan Grapel, the dual U.S.-Israeli citizen being held in Egypt on spying charges.