To become a real Islamic scholar in any of the Sunni or Shi'a schools of jurisprudence, it is required that the candidate understand completely the Islamic doctrine of al-mansukh wa al-nasikh (that which is abrogated and that which abrogates).

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Answering a critic of 'Shariah: The Threat to America'

Mr. Panetta's announcement sends the clearest signal yet that the rebalancing of U.S. strategic focus, first announced by President Barack Obama last year, is real, said Chris Johnson, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

WSJ: U.S. Plans Naval Shift to Asia