It’s also a complicated issue that’s going to take a lot of continuing work because of the consequences of direct military action, Leon Panetta said.
North Korea is a rogue nation with an unstable leader and the ability to develop missiles and miniaturized nuclear weapons, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told CNBC on Wednesday.
« They really are a direct threat to our national security. But it’s also a complicated issue. That’s the reason most recent presidents haven’t pulled the trigger, » he said in an interview with » Closing Bell. »
« It’s going to take a lot of continuing work because of the consequences of direct military action. »
On Wednesday afternoon, all 100 senators met with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Marine Corps. Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for a classified briefing on the matter.
