Panetta appears before defense panel

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Leon Panetta, the presumptive new U.S. defense secretary, told a Senate committee Thursday the United States faces a "blizzard of challenges."

Panetta appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee, fielding policy questions from the panel during his confirmation hearing.

If the full Senate confirms him as anticipated, Panetta will shift from his role as CIA director to leading the Pentagon when Defense Secretary Robert Gates retires this fall.

"This is a time of historic change," Panetta said. "Unlike the Cold War when we had one main adversary, we face a multitude of challenges ... dangerous enemies spread out across the world. We face insurgents and militants who cross borders to conduct attacks. We face the proliferation of dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorist, in the hands of rogue nations."

In addition, the country faces the threat of cyberattacks, which Panetta called a "whole new arena of warfare."

"We are no longer in the Cold War," he said. "This is more like the blizzard war -- 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."

Panetta, who has a long history of public service, said he has done a number of things to prepare for the job, including meeting with Gates, service secretaries and chiefs, and former department secretaries.

The next defense secretary faces a complex set of demands on U.S. armed forces, especially the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and plans to withdraw troops from those two theaters, committee Chairman Richard Levin, D-Mich., said to open the hearing.

The next defense secretary also must address the needs of military personnel and their families, as well as fund the department as lawmakers look for ways to cut the deficit, Levin said

"Fortunately for the nation, Director Panetta brings a compelling record of achievement and experiences well-suited to the demands of the position for which he's been nominated," Levin said.

Levin noted the success in locating and killing Osama bin Laden, an operation run through the CIA instead of the Pentagon.

Continuity was a key criterion in the department, said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the ranking Republican on the committee.

The Defense Department must have "the continuation of the wise judgment, policy and decision-making that have characterized Secretary Gates' leadership," McCain said. "Thanks to the good works of Secretary Gates' team and our men and women in uniform, the next secretary of defense will take office with a great deal of positive momentum. But many consequential challenges remain."

The role of defense secretary involves a large responsibility, Panetta said. Still, "in a very basic way, it is the similar to the role of the CIA director, in that our first and foremost mission is to protect the country."