putting ~ in harm's way

今月末での退任を前にしてパネッタ米国防長官は記者会見や講演などを精力的にこなしています。うち、6日にワシントンDCで行われた講演では、国防費の強制的な歳出削減が実施されると、米軍の海外展開を大幅に縮小せざるえなくなるとの危惧を明らかにしました。

Panetta warns budget cuts may affect Asia strategy

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned that threatened spending cuts could degrade the military's ability to respond to crises around the globe.

 Panetta will leave his post this month. He told an audience in Washington on Wednesday the military's strategy for the Asia Pacific could suffer if Congress steps off the so-called fiscal cliff.



He said a breakdown in budget talks between Democrats and Republicans could trigger substantial defense spending cuts that would have a significant impact on US defense strategy.

In particular, outlays for training and equipment for the Army and Navy would be cut, affecting combat operations.



He said the cuts would reduce the Navy's activities in the West Pacific by nearly a third. Panetta warned that would have a negative impact on a US plan to boost its navy presence in the Asia Pacific.

The plan is a response to China's maritime advance in the region.

The deadline for a budget deal was put off until early March. Panetta urged members of Congress to strike a deal and avoid undermining national defense and putting servicemen and women in harm's way.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20130207_08.html

最後のput ~ in harm's wayは「…を危険な状況に追い込む」という言い回しです。そういうねらいがあったわけではないでしょうか、この表現を目にすると思い出すのが、太平洋戦争を舞台にしたジョン・ウェイン主演の映画"In Harm's Way"です（日本海軍を相手にした史実にもどづいた（？）内容だったと思います）。危惧を語る、実に国防長官らしい語彙選択だと思いました。なお、反意語はout of harm's wayです。（UG）