US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has little military strategy experience as his appointment comes at a crucial moment. But his past in Congress and connections he made as CIA head are expected to serve him well, and have made him a popular choice.
Outgoing US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will soon retire from the job after serving during two bloody wars spanning two administrations. Another ash cloud creates havoc all the way from South America to Australia. And a rare exhibition of Mayan artefacts from Guatemala is on display here in Paris, but the event's sponsor is an oil company accused of not doing enough to protect the environment.
The US Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to confirm CIA head Leon Panetta (pictured) as the new secretary of defence. Panetta, who was nominated by President Barack Obama in April, will replace outgoing Pentagon chief Robert Gates.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates confirmed Sunday that the US has been in preliminary talks "for a few weeks" with the Taliban to discuss a political solution to the decade-long Afghan war.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi brushed off the defection of his foreign minister on Thursday, again criticising foreign powers for their military intervention in Libya and calling on their leaders to resign at once.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, warned Thursday that a victory over Gaddafi's forces was not imminent despite the successes. Mullen added that this was despite 20% to 25% of Gaddafi’s military being knocked out.
China and the United States may be at odds over trade and currency, but some worry a lot more about Beijing’s growing military might. Some even wonder if the Chinese president is the one calling the shots.
China and the United States may be at odds over trade and currency, but some worry a lot more about Beijing’s growing military might. Some even wonder if the Chinese president is the one calling the shots.
Arriving in Kabul Tuesday on a surprise trip to Afghanistan, British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “confident” that UK troop withdrawal could begin in 2011. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates also arrived in the country on the same day.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has strongly condemned a NATO air strike he says killed 10 Afghan civilians and refuted charges he had undermined efforts to tackle corruption during a visit by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
