H ere’s something for critics of the country’s defense budget to ponder: After I was confirmed as secretary of the Navy in May 2001, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asked me and the other service secretaries to work with Congress to gain approval for a pending supplemental appropriation to the defense budget. This was not a war supplemental; it was still four months before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Pentagon was simply running out of money. Read full article > >

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Military preparedness does not come cheap

MUNICH — In a rare joint appearance overseas, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to reassure European allies that the United States will not diminish its security relationship with the continent even as it withdraws troops and places a higher priority on Asia. Read full article > >

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Panetta, Clinton reassure Europe on security ties

Says Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

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U.S. to End Afghan Combat in 2013

Says Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

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U.S. to End Afghan Combat in 2013

INDIANAPOLIS — In an era of pro football specialization, when long snappers and kickoff specialists can claim full-time spots on NFL rosters, Julian Edelman is likely to play on offense, defense and special teams for the New England Patriots before Sunday’s Super Bowl is over. Read full article > >

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Super Bowl 2012: Patriots’ Julian Edelman will be busy Sunday

Alex Ovechkin received his longest suspension to date Monday when the Washington Capitals’ captain was banned three games without pay for his illegal hit on the Penguins’ Zbynek Michalek , a blow the NHL ruled “recklessly” made contact with the Pittsburgh defenseman’s head. Read full article > >

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Alex Ovechkin suspended three games for illegal hit on Zbynek Michalek in Caps’ loss

JERUSALEM – The chief of the U.S. military held closed talks with the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Israeli army’s chief of staff Friday in an effort to coordinate responses to Iran’s nuclear program. Read full article > >

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U.S. military chief in Israel for talks on Iran

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Supreme Court granted the prime minister two weeks to prepare his defense on contempt of court charges, extending a political crisis that has churned this nuclear-armed nation and triggered a frenzy of media coverage. Read full article > >

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Pakistan Supreme Court postpones standoff with government

JERUSALEM – Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday that Israel was “very far off” from making a decision on a possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The remarks appeared to be part of an effort to allay American concerns that Israel is preparing for an attack despite Washington’s objections. Read full article > >

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Barak says Israeli decision on Iran strike remains ‘far off’

Vernon Davis of the 49ers and Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots may look like tight ends, but they run and catch like wide receivers, presenting problems for opposing defenses.

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On Pro Football: Rise of New Breed of Tight End Goes Unchecked So Far

Thought it was inappropriate for secretary of defense to say so.

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Perry: Urinating on Corpses Not ‘Despicable’

NFL playoff teams made an on-the-field case over the weekend for the ongoing need to play something resembling sturdy defense to advance in the postseason, even in this pass-happy age of offensive pyrotechnics. Read full article > >

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NFL playoffs 2012: Defenses make their case as some of the high-powered offenses go home

BALTIMORE—The Baltimore Ravens , in an NFL season of prolific offense, used their defense Sunday to earn a trip to New England for the AFC title game. Two early touchdown passes by quarterback Joe Flacco provided all the offense the Ravens needed and they held on to beat the mistake-prone Houston Texans , 20-13, in a conference semifinal at M&T Bank Stadium. Read full article > >

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NFL playoffs 2012: Baltimore Ravens outlast Houston Texans, 20-13

The video that emerged in recent days appearing to show four U.S. Marines urinating on several dead Taliban fighters has outraged many people in this country. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have condemned the act , the military has promised an inquiry, and some experts are even suggesting that the act could qualify as a war crime . Read full article > >

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We’re all guilty of dehumanizing the enemy

GREER, S.C. — Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney appeared Thursday to have successfully blunted attacks on his work at Bain Capital, with still more conservatives coming to his defense, his rivals backing down and voters at campaign stops in South Carolina saying they disapproved of the critique. Read full article > >

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GOP divided over potential impact of Bain attacks