Press Releases

The Presidency and a Divided Congress: Can They Govern?
Democracy v. Autocracy – Can the U.S. Unify Allies in a Dangerous World?
Second Event of the 2023 Leon Panetta Lecture Series
On Monday, April 17, members of the media are invited to the following activities for the second event of
the 2023 Leon Panetta Lecture Series featuring Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense (2006 -2011);
General David Petraeus, U.S. Army (Ret.), Director of the CIA (2011-2012); and Admiral James Stavridis,
U.S. Navy (Ret.), NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (2009-2013).
For the afternoon press conference, student program and evening lecture, press representatives shall
register with Panetta Institute staff at the press table. They must provide a business card with name
and media affiliation as well as a government issued photo I.D., such as a driver's license.
2:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. PRESS AVAILABILITY – Monterey Conference Center, Stevenson Room I,
(Second Floor), Monterey (directions and map attached). All members of the media are invited to a press
availability with Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense (2006 -2011); General David Petraeus, U.S. Army
(Ret.), Director of the CIA (2011-2012); and Admiral James Stavridis, U.S. Navy (Ret.), NATO Supreme
Allied Commander Europe (2009-2013).
Cameras and tape recorders are permitted. Seating will be first-come-first-served. Cameras are to be
placed at least ten feet away from the speakers. Members of the media may follow the speakers to the
afternoon student program, but may not ask questions of the speakers or moderator after they leave
the press availability.
2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. STUDENT PROGRAM – Monterey Conference Center, Steinbeck Ballroom,
Monterey. All members of the media are invited to attend this afternoon program for students from high
schools, colleges, universities and military installations throughout the Central Coast. The students
participate on academic scholarship provided by the Lecture Series sponsors. The speakers make brief
presentations and then receive questions from the student audience in this lively, one-of-a-kind educational
forum. Cameras and tape recorders are permitted. Interaction by members of the media with guest
speakers will not be allowed. Please contact the Panetta Institute if you wish to request time to
interview students before or after the program.
6:50 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. LECTURE – Democracy v. Autocracy – Can the U.S. Unify Allies in a
Dangerous World?– Monterey Conference Center, Serra Ballroom, Monterey. Members of the media are
invited into the theater from 6:50 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. to watch the lecture. Cameras may be used from
midway up the aisles of the auditorium only. The stage and the front aisle are strictly off limits. Once
the program begins, all interviews with audience members must cease. At 7:10 p.m., members of the media
will be escorted out of the forum. Members of the media are then invited to view the remainder of the
program on television monitors outside the Ballroom.
The public