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Leon Panetta

French, Mali forces head toward Timbuktu
French and Malian forces pushed toward the fabled desert town of Timbuktu on Sunday, as the two-week-long French mission gathered momentum against the ...
What's the threat? North Korean rhetoric, reality
According to its official statements, North Korea is ready to go to the brink. But how serious are Pyongyang's threats? This week, new U.N.
Troops: Women should meet same standards as men
During her time in Iraq, Alma Felix would see her fellow female soldiers leave the Army installations where she worked at a desk job and head into ...
Women already serve in some combat-related jobs
The Pentagon is knocking down old barriers to women serving in combat, but some already are in risky jobs. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's order, ...
Senate chair: Count up Hagel vote after hearing
Top Senate Republicans said Tuesday they would reserve judgment on Chuck Hagel's nomination until after his confirmation hearing next week, a positive ...
Pentagon: AQ ally is top suspect in Algeria attack
The Pentagon on Tuesday stopped short of saying al-Qaida's North Africa affiliate is definitely to blame for the deadly Algeria terrorist attack, but ...
3 Americans die in Algeria attack, 7 survive
Three U.S. citizens were killed in last week's hostage standoff at a natural gas complex in Algeria, while seven Americans made it out safely, Obama ...
Obama says US ready to assist Algerian officials
President Barack Obama said Saturday the U.S. stands ready to provide whatever assistance Algerian officials need in the aftermath of the deadly ...
Algeria: 12 hostages have died in the siege
The bloody three-day hostage standoff at a natural gas plant in the Sahara took a dramatic turn Friday as Algeria's state news service reported that ...
Panetta: US-British working to free hostages
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the U.S. is working with the British and Algerian governments to assess what is happening on the ground at a ...
US slams hostage-taking; Clinton to call Algeria
The Obama administration appeared to be in the dark Thursday about a hostage situation at a natural gas plant in Algeria, where Algerian forces ...
Obama's gun measures face a tough road in Congress
President Barack Obama's sweeping gun-control package faces an uncertain future on Capitol Hill, where majority House Republicans are rejecting his ...
Panetta defends Obama's gun control package
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta fired off a strong defense of gun control legislation Thursday, in front of a decidedly skeptical audience.
Algeria mulls international force for hostages
Algeria's government searched desperately Thursday for a way to end a desert standoff with Islamic militants who have taken dozens of foreigners ...
Italy offers air logistic support for Mali
Italy is prepared to offer logistical support for air operations against Islamic extremists in Mali, officials said Wednesday, as French troops ...
Pentagon chief Panetta meets Pope Benedict
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the leader of the world's largest military, met Pope Benedict XVI, the world's best known advocate for peace, at ...
French triple troops in Mali, prepare for assault
After a punishing bombing campaign failed to halt the advance of al-Qaida-linked fighters, France pledged Tuesday to triple the size of its force in ...
A look at what countries are contributing to Mali
Here's a look at what countries are providing to help Mali's battle against armed Islamic extremists who have occupied the country's north since March
Mali rebels make gains, vow to avenge French bombs
Despite a punishing bombardment by French warplanes, al-Qaida-linked insurgents grabbed more territory in Mali on Monday, seizing a strategic military ...
Panetta: US helping French forces with intel
The U.S. is already providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French in their assault on Islamist extremists in Mali, Defense Secretary Leon ...