U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta conducts a press conference with reporters aboard a U.S. Air Force E-4B aircraft on his way to visit defense leaders and U.S. troops in the Asia-Pacific region, Oct. 21, 2011. Panetta discussed the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, NATO operations in Libya, and the importance of U.S. alliances with Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
Panetta Plays Last Card, Warns Defense Cuts Could Lead to Attack on the U.S. -- National Journal
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has been steadily escalating his warnings about the impact of the deep cuts facing the Pentagon if the congressional super committee fails to reach a deal. On Thursday, he played the last – and strongest -- card in his deck, arguing that the hundreds of billions of dollars of mandatory cuts would directly imperil U.S. national security.
The Defense chief has spent weeks publicly urging the 12 lawmakers on the panel to reach a deficit-reduction deal. On Tuesday, he departed from his prepared remarks during a speech to top National Guard officials and colorfully called on Congress to reach an agreement.
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Update: Panetta Warns Military Cuts Would Invite 'Aggression' -- FOX News
My Comment: Not everyone is in agreement with such an assessment.