President Obama’s nominee for defense secretary told Congress on Thursday that killing Osama bin Laden has given the United States “the greatest chance since 9/11 to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda.” But Leon Panetta, the outgoing director of the CIA, admitted he would have to make “tough decisions” and “tough choices” in the face of new fiscal policies that will likely shrink the defense budget, even while the nation is fighting multiple wars.
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“We are no longer in the Cold War,” Panetta to the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This is more like the blizzard war — a blizzard of challenges that draws speed and intensity from terrorism, from rapidly developing technologies, and the rising number of powers on the world stage.”
Panetta is expected to be confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support this month. He arrived on Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing fresh from his critical role overseeing the military operation that resulted in the killing of bin Laden.
Panetta, if confirmed, would replace Robert Gates, who was appointed to the job in 2006 by President George W. Bush.
Before facing hours of questioning from senators, Panetta warned that even though bin Laden is dead, al Qaeda is not defeated, and “to be able to finish the job, we have got to keep our pressure up.”
He pledged if confirmed to “prevail in the conflicts we are engaged in” in Iraq and Afghanistan, where there is growing pressure on the Obama administration to begin bringing U.S. troops home.
Panetta faced a panel of senators who generally praised his work, though Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the panel, appeared to have little patience when Panetta dodged a question about how fast troops should exit Afghanistan.
When McCain asked if Panetta agreed with Gates’ assessment that this summer’s planned withdrawal should be a modest one, Panetta said it should be “conditions-based,” but planned to leave the decision to Gates, the president and Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
“Well, if you’re the secretary of defense when that decision is made, obviously you will have significant influence,” McCain responded. “You just came from a position where you have a very good assessment of the military situation. I think it’s not inappropriate for you to answer when I ask if you agree with Secretary Gates’ assessment that the withdrawal should be modest.”
Panetta told the panel he believes troop withdrawal should begin this summer and be completed in 2014, which complies with the Obama administration’s plan. Some Republicans said they are concerned the withdrawal will happen too rapidly and jeopardize progress that has already been made in stabilizing the country.
Lawmakers tried to pin down Panetta on the conflict in Libya, where the United States has been participating in a NATO effort to aide anti-government rebels overthrow Moammar Gadhafi.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., gave a lukewarm endorsement of Obama’s decision to involve the U.S. military in Libya and conduct airstrikes in Yemen, but said those decisions should be subject to review by Congress.
Webb asked for an assurance from Panetta that there are no plans to put U.S. forces on the ground in Libya, even if Gadhafi is ousted.
“As far as I know,” Panetta said, “no one is discussing any boots on the ground there at any time.”
