Leon Panetta is a familiar name to Americans, yet few may understand his full significance. He served in various high-level government positions – Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2009-2011 and Secretary of Defense between 2011-13 – but what sets him apart is his involvement with some of the most daring and controversial operations conducted during CIA history. We will look back on some highlights of Leon Panetta’s tenure at helming this spy agency and how his leadership transformed its role and reputation post-9/11.
The Hunt for Osama bin Laden
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Panetta may be most remembered as the director who oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda and mastermind of 9/11 attacks. Panetta played a critical role in devising and carrying out the plan to locate and assassinate bin Laden, who had been living hidden for so long in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Panetta authorized the deployment of a special team of Navy SEALs who used stealth helicopters to attack bin Laden’s compound at night on May 2, 2011 from their CIA headquarters. Panetta watched live coverage from both Barack Obama and senior officials; following an intense firefight, SEALs confirmed they had killed bin Laden and recovered his body, ending a decade-long manhunt and dealing a significant blow against al-Qaeda.
The Drone War
Panetta’s tenure as CIA Director proved controversial for many reasons, not least his expansion of drone warfare: using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct targeted killings of suspected terrorists and militants in countries like Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Panetta asserted that drones were an efficient and precise means of countering threats to national security and minimising civilian casualties and collateral damage. Critics of Panetta and CIA’s drone war, however, accused them of violating international law, human rights, and sovereignty as well as creating more enemies than they killed. Concerned citizens also questioned the accuracy and accountability of drone strikes as well as the lack of transparency and oversight over this program. Panetta justified drone warfare as necessary and legal protection measures for America and its allies while asserting that it had significantly degraded al-Qaeda affiliates.
The Arab Spring
Panetta faced one of his toughest tests as CIA Director in 2011 with the Arab Spring, the wave of popular uprisings and protests which swept across Middle Eastern and North African nations demanding political and social reforms. Panetta and the CIA had to monitor and assess the quickly shifting situation in the region and provide intelligence and advice to both U.S. government and allies as to how best to respond. Panetta supported U.S. intervention in Libya to overthrow dictator Muammar Gaddafi, as well as supporting opposition activists in Syria to bring about change under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. But he also expressed concerns regarding risks and uncertainties of Arab Spring revolutions, potentially leading to instability, violence, or extremism following them.
Leon Panetta stands as an iconic figure in the history of both the CIA and United States government in general. He played an essential part in some of the most daring and consequential operations during this century and helped shape their mission and image post-9/11. Panetta has earned praise for his leadership, courage, integrity as well as some criticism regarding some policies or decisions he took; all leaving an indelible legacy upon the CIA and beyond.
