Far different than the Cold War, one might describe today’s complex security environment as a “Blizzard War,” CIA Director Leon Panetta told lawmakers Thursday during his confirmation hearing to be Defense Secretary. Indeed, the United States faces “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,” said Panetta in remarks before the Senate Armed Services Committee. To deal with that, Panetta laid out what would be his priorities, if confirmed: “My first task at DOD will be to ensure that we prevail in the conflicts that we are engaged in,” he said. This means continuing to degrade the Taliban in Afghanistan and helping the Afghans “take ownership of their country.” In Iraq, it means assuring Iraqi security forces “are prepared to safeguard their nation so that it can become a stable democracy,” he continued. All the while, DOD must be “highly disciplined in how we spend the taxpayers’ precious resources,” said Panetta. “Finally and most importantly,” he said he would be “a tireless advocate for our troops and for their families.”
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.