Beginning in July, US troop withdrawals from Afghanistan should be significant, but in keeping with the situation on the ground, Leon Panetta, CIA director and Defense Secretary nominee, told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing Thursday. Despite asserting that progress made in securing Afghanistan is both “fragile and reversible,” Panetta refused to commit to what Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), SASC ranking member, termed “modest” withdrawals. Pressed to define what he believed would be an appropriate level of withdrawal, Panetta emphasized the he was “not in that position now,” asserting that the decision lies with the President, current Defense Secretary, and US Central Command commander. Panetta did, however, express support for a continued US presence in Iraq after the end of the year, if the Iraqi government requests that, saying “that ought to be seriously considered by the President.” (Panetta’s responses to advance policy questions)
Former AFCENT Commander Reflects on Lessons of Epic Fury
Sept. 13, 2026
Operation Epic Fury marked the U.S. military's largest air campaign in a generation, with strikes on 13,000 targets in Iran before the first in a series of shaky ceasefires began in April. Now, even as hostilities continue to flare up, Lt. Gen. Derek C. France sees several clear lessons that…
