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US Secretary of Defense

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth talk during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon, July 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
October 20, 2026, 9:12 am
Hegseth meets Netanyahu during secret visit to Israel; said to discuss ‘threats in region’
Meeting held at Ovda airbase, where US jets are stationed; US defense secretary confirms previously unannounced visit to region to meet troops, but doesn’t specify location
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Vice President Dick Cheney delivers his speech to troops at Fairchild Air Force base in Spokane, Washington, April 17, 2006. (AP Photo/Dustin Snipes, file)
November 4, 2025, 3:22 pm
Dick Cheney, dominant, divisive strategist of America’s ‘war on terror,’ dies at 84
The former US vice president’s hardline policies, steadfast support for Israel, and rift with Trump’s Republican party defined a half-century in US politics
By Stav Levaton
Pete Hegseth, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. (ALLISON ROBBERT / AFP)
January 14, 2025, 11:43 pm
Trump’s defense secretary pick: ‘I support Israel killing every last member of Hamas’
Pete Hegseth makes remark during fiery Senate hearing in which Democrats grill him on sexual misconduct claims, past remarks against women serving in combat
By Jacob Magid and Agencies
Pete Hegseth hosts the Fox Nation's Patriot Awards, in Nashville, Tennessee, November 16, 2023. (George Walker IV/AP)
November 13, 2024, 5:25 pm
Trump’s choice of Fox News host for defense chief post shakes Pentagon, US military
Selection of Pete Hegseth raises questions about TV figure’s ability to handle world’s largest military, its $800 billion budget, millions of personnel, and global crises
By Lolita C. Baldor and TARA COPP
This Dec. 7, 2011 file photo shows former US Defense Undersecretary Michele Flournoy, preparing for a bilateral meeting in Beijing, China (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
December 3, 2020, 4:27 am
Biden faces pressure from competing factions over pick for secretary of defense
Progressive groups oppose leading contender Michèle Flournoy over her policies, while black leaders push for African American choice
By Steve Peoples and Robert Burns
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, right, and senior Israeli defense officials meet with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, left and his staff at military headquarters in Tel Aviv on October 29, 2020. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
October 29, 2020, 6:01 pm
Gantz, Esper meet for 3rd time in a month, this time in Tel Aviv, on arms sales
US defense secretary speaks with top brass on maintaining Israel’s military supremacy despite proposed sale of F-35 jets to UAE
By Judah Ari Gross
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, right, meets with IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, center, and Northern Command chief Amir Baram in northern Israel on June 2, 2020. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
June 11, 2020, 9:22 pm
Gantz speaks to US defense chief Esper on Iranian threat, ‘regional concerns’
First phone call between defense minister and his American counterpart also addresses Israeli arms purchases
By Judah Ari Gross
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Fox News' Sean Hannity during an interview aired on April 21, 2017. (Screen capture: YouTube)
April 22, 2017, 9:00 am
Netanyahu: Palestinians must make ‘real change’ for peace
In Fox News interview, PM calls on Trump to pressure Abbas at upcoming meeting on incitement, payments to terrorists’ families
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Jerusalem on April 21, 2017 (Amos Ben Gerschom/GPO)
April 21, 2017, 2:33 pm
Meeting Mattis, PM hails ‘welcome change’ of US leadership
US defense chief says Washington committed to ‘doing whatever it takes to pass on peace and freedom to the next generation’
By ToI Staff
President-elect Donald Trump talks to the media as he stands with retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
November 20, 2016, 7:51 am
Trump’s top Pentagon pick said settlements were creating ‘apartheid’
Retired Marine Corps general James Mattis, seen as front-runner for defense secretary post, also insisted the US pays a price in Middle East for its support of Israel
By Eric Cortellessa
Ashton Carter testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 12, 2013. (photo credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
December 2, 2014, 7:08 pm
Ashton Carter tops Obama’s shortlist for defense secretary
US president likely to nominate former Pentagon official as successor to Chuck Hagel
By Julie Pace
President Barack Obama (photo credit: AFP/Mandel Ngan)
December 2, 2014, 4:47 pm
Obama faces shrinking pool of Pentagon contenders
Following resignation of Chuck Hagel, the secretary of defense post has a dearth of willing candidates
By Julie Pace
Former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Obama's choice for defense secretary, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 31 (photo credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
February 17, 2013, 7:31 pm
GOP foe calls for Hagel to be given Senate vote
‘I don’t believe he’s qualified, but we shouldn’t hold up the nomination any longer,’ says Sen. John McCain
SNL's unaired Chuck Hagel skit (photo credit: NBC screenshot)
February 11, 2013, 12:48 am
Too much SNL love for Israel?
Unaired Saturday Night Live skit parodies senators’ full-throated support for Israel during the Hagel confirmation hearing
By Haviv Rettig Gur
Republican Chuck Hagel, US President Barack Obama's choice for defense secretary, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (photo credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
February 9, 2013, 11:02 pm
Democrats stand their ground on Hagel nomination
Sen. Levin decries Republican demands for additional financial disclosure; Republicans lack the votes to prevent confirmation
By Haviv Rettig Gur
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