April 24, 2009
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved5:40 PM
The Department of Justice should not prosecute CIA officials who carried out Bush Administration interrogation methods.

"strongly oppose any effort to investigate or punish those who followed the guidance of the Department of Justice."
January 6, 2009
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:20 PM
The U.S. should negotiate with Iran directly.

United States should engage directly with Iran and Syria...
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:20 PM
The U.S. should negotiate with Syria directly.

In engaging Syria and Iran, the United States should consider incentives, as well as disincentives, in seeking constructive results.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:20 PM
The U.S. should play an active role in the Israel-Palestine peace process. U.S. leaders should actively pressure both sides to seek a peaceful resolution.

There must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:20 PM
The U.S. should not set up permanent military bases in Iraq.

The President should state that the United States does not seek permanent military bases in Iraq.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:19 PM
The U.S. should negotiate with Iraqi resistance leaders.

The United States must find a way to talk to Grand Ayatollah Sistani, Moqtada al-Sadr, and militia and insurgent leaders.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:19 PM
The U.S. military should increase troop levels in Afghanistan.

General James Jones, our NATO commander, called for more troops in Afghanistan...U.S. should respond positively to that request.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:19 PM
Iraq's national oil industry should be privatized.

The United States should assist Iraqi leaders to reorganize the national oil industry as a commercial enterprise.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:19 PM
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:19 PM
Presidential campaigns should be funded through the public financing system.

The candidates should be focused on the issues and not the obligations of constant fundraising that consume the candidates.
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved2:18 PM
November 18, 2008
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved12:42 PM
Rahm Emanuel was a good choice for Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff.

he has all the qualities you basically need to be a great chief of staff
June 9, 2008
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved1:23 PM
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama should run on the same ticket.

"It may be his first test as to whether or not he's prepared to be president of the United States"
March 27, 2008
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved10:44 AM
'Waterboarding' should be characterized as torture.

"We cannot simply suspend these beliefs in the name of national security"
Opinion of Leon Panetta approved10:33 AM
The use of torture as an interrogation technique cannot be justified.

"We cannot and we must not use torture under any circumstances"