Event Information

On Friday, December 2, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed the opening session of the 2011 Saban Forum, an annual gathering of U.S. and Israeli officials and policymakers organized by the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings.

This year's Forum, entitled “Strategic Challenges in the New Middle East,” focused on the historic shifts taking place across the Arab world and their implications for U.S.-Israeli security and interests in the Middle East region. In his speech, Secretary Panetta discussed the U.S.-Israel security relationship, including international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program.

• Watch archived video of Secretary Panetta’s speech »
• Read the transcript of the speech »
• Read coverage of the speech at defense.gov »

Transcript

• Download Forum Agenda (.pdf)

Participants

Welcoming Remarks

Moderator

Keynote Speaker