The Political Scene | The New Yorker Leon Panetta on the Trump Administration’s Venezuelan Boat Strikes
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Dec 15, 2025 Leon Panetta, former U.S. Chief of Staff and CIA Director, shares his insights on military ethics and strategy. He delves into the legal implications of Navy strikes on civilian boats in Venezuela, emphasizing the need to avoid war crimes. Panetta critiques the blurred lines of military versus law enforcement in drug trafficking, advocates for clarity in U.S. objectives, and warns against misusing the military. He also discusses the importance of a strong response to Russia's aggression and the critical need for a unified approach to defend democracy.
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Top Leadership Bears Command Responsibility
- Leon Panetta says responsibility for military orders rests with the President and the Secretary of Defense.
- He rejects blaming a subordinate Admiral for strikes that followed higher orders.
Do Not Strike Survivors In Water
- Panetta calls a second strike on survivors in the water morally and legally indefensible.
- He stresses rescuing wounded rather than attacking survivors as the correct military response.
Bin Laden Raid: Protecting Civilian Lives
- Panetta recalls Bill McRaven ordering troops to protect children during the Bin Laden raid.
- He uses the story to show military personnel retain respect for life amid missions.