Witnesses testified about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Iraq. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in his remarks that U.S. and Afghanistan forces were searching for better ways to defend against insurgent attacks. Admiral Mike Mullen accused Pakistan of "exporting violence" to Afghanistan and said this put U.S.-Pakistan relations in jeopardy.

This was Secretary Panetta's first appearance before the committee as defense secretary, and Admiral Mullen's final appearance as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.