Leon Panetta on Iran, War Planning, and the Need for a Clear Endgame
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from March 11, 2026 | Power Without Order: America and the New Global Chaos – Venezuela, Greenland, Ukraine, and China in an Era of Power Politics. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Leon Panetta, former CIA director and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, joined Larry Mantle for a wide-ranging conversation about the growing war with Iran, the risks of escalation in the Middle East, and the responsibilities of presidential leadership in times of conflict. Drawing on decades of experience in intelligence, defense, and public service, Panetta focused on a central concern: the United States appears to have entered a dangerous regional war without a clear process, a clear public case, or a clearly defined endgame.
A War Entered Without a Clear Process
Panetta argued that when the United States takes military action that could place American forces in harm’s way, that action should be guided by a disciplined national security process. In his view, that means reviewing intelligence, evaluating military plans, anticipating consequences, and defining what success looks like before the conflict expands. He suggested that in this case, those steps were either rushed or bypassed, leaving the administration reacting to events rather than shaping them.
He also stressed that presidents owe the American people an explanation when the nation is heading toward war. Panetta said public support depends on clarity and candor, and he criticized the administration for failing to clearly explain the rationale for military action before the conflict deepened.
Confusion Over the Mission
A major theme of the conversation was the administration’s shifting explanations for the war. Panetta pointed to changing justifications that included regime change, degrading Iran’s military capability, preventing future attacks, and even forcing unconditional surrender. In his view, those overlapping messages have made it harder for the public to understand the mission and harder for the president to maintain credibility.
Panetta was especially skeptical of the idea that regime change could be achieved through airstrikes alone. He argued that governments are not toppled simply by bombing from above. If regime change were truly the goal, he said, it would require organized internal resistance, outside support, and long-term planning. Without that groundwork, talk of regime change becomes more rhetorical than realistic.
What Success Might Actually Look Like
While Panetta dismissed regime change as an achievable near-term objective, he did identify a more limited military goal: significantly degrading Iran’s ability to wage war. That would mean targeting missile systems, drones, military infrastructure, and other operational assets. If that capability is sufficiently weakened, he suggested, the United States could reasonably claim it had met a defined objective.
But even that would not end the problem. Panetta warned that unless a ceasefire is negotiated and a broader diplomatic framework emerges, the region could remain trapped in the same cycle of conflict that has defined much of the last 80 years.
Leadership Requires Honesty and Accountability
Panetta closed with a broader warning about presidential leadership. In war, mistakes carry enormous consequences, especially when civilians are harmed. He argued that when errors occur, the United States must acknowledge them rather than deny responsibility. In his view, truth, credibility, and accountability are not optional during wartime; they are essential to maintaining both domestic trust and international standing. For Panetta, the greatest danger is not only the war itself, but a war waged without honesty, strategy, or a viable path to peace.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.
