US Defense Secretary Panetta Begins His Trip To North Africa And Mideast

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta gives an in-flight press brief while flying to Tunis, Tunisia, July 29, 2012. Panetta is on a five-day trip to the region stopping in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Panetta Kicks Off Sensitive Trip To North Africa And Mideast -- CNN

When Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visits the Middle East this week, he will start in Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began. But he’ll move quickly into the security hot spots about which everyone is worried.

The sensitive part of the trip begins in Cairo, when Panetta will have his first meeting with newly elected President Mohamed Morsy and Egyptian military leaders, reminding everyone that the United States wants to see a full transition to civilian rule.

Then comes Israel and Jordan, where the dual crises of Syria and Iran have captured everyone’s attention.

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US Defense Secretary Panetta Begins His Trip To North Africa And Mideast

Panetta Sidesteps Issue of Israel’s Plans on Iran -- New York Times
Panetta says U.S., Israel unified in support of Iran sanctions -- Washington Post
Panetta kicks off ME tour, touts Israel-US ties -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters
Panetta on Mideast Swing to Assure on Syria, Iran -- Wall Street Journal
Panetta Begins Mideast Trip as Iran Dominates Israel Talk -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Defence secretary Panetta meets with Middle Eastern leaders in five-day trip -- The Guardian