WEBVTT 00:01.040 --> 00:03.650 let me call the hearing to order . The 00:03.650 --> 00:05.872 committee meets this morning to examine 00:05.872 --> 00:07.650 the process and implications of 00:07.650 --> 00:09.872 transitioning all the United States and 00:09.872 --> 00:12.100 coalition forces from Afghanistan by 00:12.100 --> 00:14.160 mid september helping us better 00:14.160 --> 00:16.271 understand these challenges . Are two 00:16.271 --> 00:18.493 witnesses . Mr David , healthy , Acting 00:18.493 --> 00:20.716 Assistant Secretary of Defense for indo 00:20.716 --> 00:22.882 pacific security Affairs and Brigadier 00:22.882 --> 00:25.300 General Matthew G . Frolander , Deputy 00:25.300 --> 00:27.560 Director , Political Military Affairs 00:27.940 --> 00:30.162 brought the Middle East from the J five 00:31.040 --> 00:32.818 and General challenger . Let me 00:32.818 --> 00:34.596 congratulate you on your recent 00:34.596 --> 00:36.429 selection for promotion to Major 00:36.429 --> 00:38.760 General . Congratulations sir . I don't 00:38.770 --> 00:40.603 like to thank the witnesses from 00:40.603 --> 00:42.381 hearing here today to give us a 00:42.381 --> 00:44.492 snapshot of what is happening at this 00:44.492 --> 00:46.659 time . However , I want to note that I 00:46.659 --> 00:48.740 have repeatedly asked along with the 00:48.740 --> 00:51.620 ranking member for General scott Miller , 00:51.930 --> 00:53.986 commander of NATO's resolute support 00:53.986 --> 00:56.440 mission to testify . This committee has 00:56.440 --> 00:58.607 not had an open hearing on Afghanistan 00:58.607 --> 01:01.350 with d . o . d . officials since 2017 01:01.740 --> 01:03.740 And the last closed briefing was in 01:03.740 --> 01:07.060 December 2019 . That is far too long to 01:07.060 --> 01:09.171 hear about a mission involves so many 01:09.171 --> 01:11.282 americans . I understand that General 01:11.282 --> 01:13.400 Miller is now very busy with the 01:13.400 --> 01:15.650 transition that is underway , but I 01:15.650 --> 01:17.650 will continue to press for his 01:17.650 --> 01:19.706 appearance at the appropriate time . 01:20.240 --> 01:22.407 Last month , President Biden announced 01:22.407 --> 01:24.296 the withdrawal of all forces from 01:24.296 --> 01:27.550 Afghanistan by September 2021 . It must 01:27.550 --> 01:29.439 be noted that none of the options 01:29.439 --> 01:31.217 available to the president were 01:31.217 --> 01:33.383 particularly palatable . It could have 01:33.383 --> 01:35.217 left May one as agreed to by the 01:35.217 --> 01:37.383 previous administration or continue to 01:37.383 --> 01:39.606 press on with the United States longest 01:39.606 --> 01:41.606 war . It appears that the president 01:41.606 --> 01:43.661 concluded that more troops might buy 01:43.661 --> 01:45.940 more time and more casualties , but 01:45.940 --> 01:47.773 more time will not create a more 01:47.773 --> 01:49.900 effective afghan government . The 01:49.900 --> 01:52.122 president's decision , however , should 01:52.122 --> 01:54.233 be seen as a transition , not closure 01:54.440 --> 01:56.329 and should not mean an end to our 01:56.329 --> 01:58.273 counterterrorism efforts . We must 01:58.273 --> 02:00.384 ensure that Afghanistan will not be a 02:00.384 --> 02:02.218 source of planning , plotting or 02:02.218 --> 02:04.384 projecting of terrorist attacks around 02:04.384 --> 02:07.320 the globe , including particularly 02:07.320 --> 02:09.650 against our homeland . Despite great 02:09.650 --> 02:11.761 progress over the last 20 years , the 02:11.761 --> 02:13.928 threats from al Qaeda , ISIS and other 02:13.928 --> 02:15.928 terrorist groups still remain . The 02:15.928 --> 02:17.817 Director of national Intelligence 02:17.817 --> 02:20.330 stated in the 2021 annual threat 02:20.330 --> 02:22.770 assessment that IsIS and al Qaeda 02:22.780 --> 02:25.660 remain among , in her words , the 02:25.660 --> 02:27.493 greatest terrorist threats to US 02:27.493 --> 02:30.500 interests overseas and that they seek 02:30.510 --> 02:32.570 to conduct attacks inside the United 02:32.570 --> 02:35.080 States . Although sustained us and 02:35.090 --> 02:37.590 allied counterterrorism pressure has 02:37.590 --> 02:39.760 broadly degraded their capability . To 02:39.760 --> 02:42.020 do something , We must look to 02:42.020 --> 02:44.160 transition to a new counterterrorism 02:44.160 --> 02:46.640 architecture in the region . To 02:46.640 --> 02:48.970 continue to degrade al Qaeda ISis and 02:48.970 --> 02:50.914 other terrorist groups and prevent 02:50.914 --> 02:53.081 their ability to attack the homeland . 02:53.340 --> 02:55.451 Centcom Commander . General Mackenzie 02:55.451 --> 02:57.507 recently provided the committee some 02:57.507 --> 02:59.729 assurances that such a counterterrorism 02:59.729 --> 03:01.784 posture in the region was possible , 03:01.784 --> 03:03.896 but cautioned that it will reduce the 03:03.896 --> 03:05.784 capability with longer ranges and 03:05.784 --> 03:07.618 heightened risk and will require 03:07.618 --> 03:09.440 greater resources . I would be 03:09.440 --> 03:11.162 interested in hearing from the 03:11.162 --> 03:13.273 witnesses what progress has been made 03:13.273 --> 03:15.590 in constructing a follow on or over the 03:15.590 --> 03:18.150 horizon posture . Additionally , while 03:18.150 --> 03:20.317 the United States and coalition forces 03:20.317 --> 03:22.317 will physically transition from the 03:22.317 --> 03:24.483 country , international support to the 03:24.483 --> 03:27.240 Afghan government , including support 03:27.250 --> 03:29.520 to the Afghan security forces , will 03:29.520 --> 03:31.930 remain vital to security and stability 03:31.930 --> 03:33.860 there . Ultimately , the Afghan 03:33.860 --> 03:36.082 government must find a way to govern in 03:36.082 --> 03:38.249 a way that earns the confidence of its 03:38.249 --> 03:40.360 people , especially beyond the limits 03:40.360 --> 03:42.193 of the city's by providing basic 03:42.193 --> 03:43.916 services to include security , 03:43.916 --> 03:46.060 education , health care and justice . 03:46.640 --> 03:48.529 It is broadly understood that the 03:48.529 --> 03:50.751 Afghan government will struggle to hold 03:50.751 --> 03:52.751 the taliban at bay if international 03:52.751 --> 03:54.751 support is withdrawn and it will be 03:54.751 --> 03:56.473 increasingly difficult for the 03:56.473 --> 03:58.418 international community to justify 03:58.418 --> 04:00.529 continuing to provide such assistance 04:00.529 --> 04:02.751 without a functioning afghan government 04:02.751 --> 04:05.020 partner . The difficulty of providing 04:05.020 --> 04:07.020 such support to the afghan security 04:07.020 --> 04:09.040 forces is further compounded by the 04:09.040 --> 04:10.762 fact that the deal of previous 04:10.762 --> 04:12.707 administration negotiated with the 04:12.707 --> 04:14.818 taliban includes the departure of all 04:14.818 --> 04:17.660 security personnel , logisticians and 04:17.660 --> 04:20.260 contractors . When the United States 04:20.260 --> 04:22.204 transitions from the country , the 04:22.204 --> 04:24.149 international presence that is the 04:24.149 --> 04:26.260 foundation for security assistance is 04:26.260 --> 04:28.780 dramatically reduced if not entirely 04:28.780 --> 04:31.020 removed . I'd like to understand what 04:31.020 --> 04:33.242 plans are in place to continue training 04:33.242 --> 04:35.450 and assistance to the Afghan forces in 04:35.450 --> 04:37.370 light of these factors and how we 04:37.370 --> 04:39.426 balance that against need to conduct 04:39.426 --> 04:41.490 robust oversight of funding that is 04:41.490 --> 04:43.601 provided by the United States and the 04:43.601 --> 04:46.100 international community . Lastly , what 04:46.110 --> 04:48.221 must do our part to aid those afghans 04:48.221 --> 04:50.332 who have aided us ? There are already 04:50.332 --> 04:52.443 troubling examples of taliban plan to 04:52.443 --> 04:54.666 target those who have helped the United 04:54.666 --> 04:56.721 States . We must ensure that we have 04:56.721 --> 04:58.888 the capacity to bring them to safety . 04:58.888 --> 05:00.554 That is why I joined 20 of my 05:00.554 --> 05:02.499 colleagues and signing a letter to 05:02.499 --> 05:04.610 President biden this week emphasizing 05:04.610 --> 05:06.721 our support for the special immigrant 05:06.721 --> 05:08.666 visa , the S . I . V . Program for 05:08.666 --> 05:10.832 afghans . I'm particularly grateful to 05:10.832 --> 05:12.943 center jean for leading this effort . 05:12.943 --> 05:15.030 It's an important effort and she is 05:15.030 --> 05:17.460 doing an extraordinary job . I would 05:17.460 --> 05:19.460 ask the witnesses to share with the 05:19.460 --> 05:21.560 department what perception the 05:21.560 --> 05:23.560 department sees as its role in such 05:23.560 --> 05:25.410 operations and if any additional 05:25.410 --> 05:27.577 authorities might be required in order 05:27.577 --> 05:29.799 for duty to assist the State Department 05:29.799 --> 05:32.132 or other agencies leading these efforts . 05:32.132 --> 05:34.077 I want to thank you both again for 05:34.077 --> 05:36.021 being here this morning and I look 05:36.021 --> 05:38.077 forward to your testimony . Before I 05:38.077 --> 05:40.354 turn into recommending remember in all , 05:40.354 --> 05:42.466 I'd like to remind my colleagues that 05:42.466 --> 05:44.521 there will be an informal classified 05:44.521 --> 05:46.243 briefing which will include an 05:46.243 --> 05:48.299 appropriate D . I . A representative 05:48.299 --> 05:50.466 immediately following this session and 05:50.466 --> 05:52.799 spc to 17 . The Office of Sand Security . 05:53.040 --> 05:55.096 Moreover , I would like to remind my 05:55.096 --> 05:57.560 colleagues and request their assistance . 05:57.940 --> 06:00.290 We will need to gather a quorum at the 06:00.300 --> 06:03.000 president's room at the noon vote to 06:03.000 --> 06:05.170 run out the civilian nominations of 06:05.170 --> 06:07.230 Michael McCord for comptroller and 06:07.230 --> 06:09.397 Ronald Moultrie for undersecretary for 06:09.397 --> 06:11.341 intelligence . I ask that everyone 06:11.341 --> 06:13.452 trying to be helpful so no one has to 06:13.452 --> 06:15.619 wait too long and that that noone vote 06:15.619 --> 06:17.730 if you could assemble and be prepared 06:17.730 --> 06:19.897 to do so . I'd appreciate it very much 06:19.897 --> 06:21.952 with that . Let me recognize ranking 06:21.952 --> 06:24.008 member . Thank you . Mr Chairman . I 06:24.008 --> 06:26.390 first of all I opposed have expressed 06:26.390 --> 06:30.040 myself myself several times about The 06:30.050 --> 06:32.690 full withdrawal of all troops by 06:32.690 --> 06:34.801 September 11 year . The fact that the 06:34.801 --> 06:36.801 president chose its date , The 20th 06:36.801 --> 06:38.634 anniversary of the most horrific 06:38.634 --> 06:40.630 terrorist attacks in our nation's 06:40.630 --> 06:44.420 history indicates this was a calendar 06:44.420 --> 06:47.230 based political decision . It was not 06:47.230 --> 06:49.230 based on conditions on the ground , 06:49.230 --> 06:51.180 which is the strong bipartisan 06:51.180 --> 06:53.347 recommendation . Congress has given to 06:53.347 --> 06:55.402 both the republicans and democrats . 06:55.402 --> 06:58.030 Presidents over the last decade . This 06:58.030 --> 07:00.460 isn't just my interpretation . And 07:00.940 --> 07:04.040 unnamed senior administration official 07:04.050 --> 07:06.730 told the Washington post quote , the 07:06.730 --> 07:09.630 president has judged that a conditions 07:09.640 --> 07:13.340 based approach is a recipe for staying 07:13.340 --> 07:15.940 in Afghanistan forever . Now , I'm 07:15.950 --> 07:18.117 troubled by that statement that's been 07:18.117 --> 07:20.640 made over and over again , framing the 07:20.640 --> 07:24.270 issue , which pretends that there are 07:24.500 --> 07:26.820 only two options unconditional us 07:26.820 --> 07:29.700 withdrawal or so called forever war and 07:29.700 --> 07:32.440 nobody wants see the United States 07:32.450 --> 07:34.700 troops in Afghanistan forever . We 07:34.700 --> 07:37.800 understand that that's why I supported 07:37.860 --> 07:40.350 a third option maintaining a relatively 07:40.350 --> 07:42.660 small troop presence . Until the 07:42.660 --> 07:45.970 conditions Outlined in the February 07:45.970 --> 07:49.210 2020 us Taliban agreement are fully 07:49.210 --> 07:51.321 implemented . I will be talking about 07:51.321 --> 07:53.850 that was the questions to the witnesses . 07:54.540 --> 07:57.640 So under that agreement , the troops 07:57.640 --> 08:00.080 were supposed to be withdrawn as the 08:00.080 --> 08:03.160 taliban met US counterterrorism 08:03.160 --> 08:06.040 equipments commitments . And when 08:06.050 --> 08:09.450 progress was made in the intra 08:09.450 --> 08:13.170 afghan dialogue , a bipartisan 08:13.170 --> 08:16.680 majority of the Senate warned President 08:16.680 --> 08:19.480 trump against doing this . Two years 08:19.480 --> 08:21.680 ago , President trump listened , 08:21.780 --> 08:24.420 President Biden did not listen . The 08:24.420 --> 08:27.580 precipitous drawdown from Afghanistan 08:27.580 --> 08:29.691 carries many risks . First , there is 08:29.691 --> 08:32.380 the risk of severe chaos and violence 08:32.380 --> 08:35.060 and instability in the Afghanistan . 08:35.640 --> 08:39.010 As the Taliban uses our withdrawal to 08:39.010 --> 08:41.550 escalate its attacks around the country . 08:41.550 --> 08:44.270 And in Kabul , as we saw after 08:44.270 --> 08:47.150 President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq 08:48.140 --> 08:52.030 In 2011 , terrorists will export this 08:52.040 --> 08:55.930 instability 2.5 years after the U . 08:55.930 --> 08:58.930 S . Troops left , Iraq ISis captured 08:58.940 --> 09:02.450 Mosul secondly , the 09:03.040 --> 09:05.530 complete withdrawal of US troops who 09:05.530 --> 09:07.419 will make it much harder and more 09:07.419 --> 09:09.580 expensive to effectively support our 09:09.590 --> 09:12.580 afghan security partners over the 09:12.580 --> 09:15.130 horizon . Counterterrorism does not 09:15.130 --> 09:17.640 work . General Mackenzie , the centcom 09:17.640 --> 09:19.610 commander testified , quote , the 09:19.610 --> 09:23.090 ranges will be greater , the resources 09:23.090 --> 09:26.540 will be greater . The risk will be will 09:26.540 --> 09:30.100 all be greater . Third the US drawdown 09:30.100 --> 09:33.230 puts at risk thousands of afghan . Uh 09:33.240 --> 09:35.296 And I think a lot of people realizes 09:35.296 --> 09:37.518 this article that was written , the USA 09:37.518 --> 09:39.740 today makes it very clear and it's kind 09:39.740 --> 09:41.740 of scary and we'll be talking about 09:41.740 --> 09:43.796 that in the questions that I have to 09:43.796 --> 09:45.907 ask . So I thank both of you for your 09:45.907 --> 09:48.018 testimony and look forward to working 09:48.018 --> 09:50.240 with you in this endeavor . Thank you . 09:50.240 --> 09:52.700 Mr Chairman thank you Senator Ian Hawke 09:52.700 --> 09:56.660 and Mr Hell we would you be in place ? 09:59.140 --> 10:02.060 Uh Good morning . Chairman Read . 10:02.070 --> 10:05.030 Ranking member in Hoff members of this 10:05.030 --> 10:06.697 committee . Thank you for the 10:06.697 --> 10:08.919 opportunity to provide an update on the 10:08.919 --> 10:10.919 withdrawal of the remaining U . S . 10:10.919 --> 10:13.810 Forces from Afghanistan . I appreciate 10:13.810 --> 10:16.000 your and this committee has continued 10:16.000 --> 10:18.880 interest in this matter . Following a 10:18.880 --> 10:20.880 rigorous review . As you know , the 10:20.880 --> 10:23.102 president determined that the best path 10:23.102 --> 10:25.213 forward to advance american interests 10:25.213 --> 10:27.436 is by ending US military involvement in 10:27.436 --> 10:30.450 the war in Afghanistan accordingly . 10:30.460 --> 10:32.460 And as directed by the president on 10:32.460 --> 10:34.460 april 14th , the department offense 10:34.460 --> 10:36.627 began a safe , orderly and coordinated 10:36.627 --> 10:39.720 withdrawal of US forces on May 1st and 10:39.720 --> 10:41.887 plans to have all US forces out of the 10:41.887 --> 10:44.340 country by september . This is the 10:44.340 --> 10:46.580 amount of time that we determined will 10:46.580 --> 10:48.636 be necessary to bring our forces and 10:48.636 --> 10:50.691 those of our coalition partners home 10:50.691 --> 10:53.570 safely and a retrograde transfer or 10:53.570 --> 10:55.681 disposal of responsibly equipment and 10:55.681 --> 10:58.150 other property . As part of the 10:58.150 --> 11:00.460 interagency review of U . S . Policy in 11:00.460 --> 11:02.293 Afghanistan . The administration 11:02.293 --> 11:04.404 assessed that the threat from violent 11:04.404 --> 11:06.404 extremist organizations against the 11:06.404 --> 11:08.690 United States now emanating from 11:08.690 --> 11:10.857 Afghanistan can be addressed without a 11:10.857 --> 11:13.079 persistent US military presence in that 11:13.079 --> 11:16.290 country . At the same time , we'll work 11:16.290 --> 11:18.123 closely with the Afghan National 11:18.123 --> 11:20.290 Defence and security forces or and DSF 11:20.290 --> 11:22.512 and with our allies and our partners to 11:22.512 --> 11:24.679 maintain counterterrorism capabilities 11:24.679 --> 11:26.734 in the region , sufficient to ensure 11:26.734 --> 11:28.846 that Afghanistan cannot become a safe 11:28.846 --> 11:30.901 haven for terrorists to threaten our 11:30.901 --> 11:33.150 security in this context . And in 11:33.150 --> 11:34.983 coordination with our Afghan and 11:34.983 --> 11:37.150 international partners were working to 11:37.150 --> 11:38.928 reposition our counterterrorism 11:38.928 --> 11:40.928 capabilities including by retaining 11:40.928 --> 11:42.983 assets in the region to prevent a re 11:42.983 --> 11:45.150 emergence of a terrorist threat to the 11:45.150 --> 11:47.372 United States homeland from Afghanistan 11:47.372 --> 11:47.170 and to hold the Taliban to its 11:47.170 --> 11:49.170 commitments to ensure that al Qaeda 11:49.170 --> 11:51.170 does not once again gain a foothold 11:51.170 --> 11:53.059 there . Or that ISIS or any other 11:53.059 --> 11:55.170 terrorist group could use Afghanistan 11:55.170 --> 11:57.960 as a base to attack us or our allies 11:59.240 --> 12:01.351 and we'll refine our counterterrorism 12:01.351 --> 12:03.129 strategy to monitor and disrupt 12:03.129 --> 12:05.240 terrorist threats to our homeland and 12:05.240 --> 12:07.462 our interests in a way that corresponds 12:07.462 --> 12:09.629 to the dispersed threat landscape that 12:09.629 --> 12:11.851 we face today . Now , Mr Chairman , I'd 12:11.851 --> 12:13.573 like to thank Congress in this 12:13.573 --> 12:15.296 committee specifically for the 12:15.296 --> 12:17.129 continued support for the Afghan 12:17.129 --> 12:19.129 Security Forces fund or S . F . F . 12:19.440 --> 12:21.662 This is the mechanism through which the 12:21.662 --> 12:23.829 United States provides the majority of 12:23.829 --> 12:25.884 funding necessary to sustain the A . 12:25.884 --> 12:27.607 And E . S . F . And its combat 12:27.607 --> 12:29.718 operations , while developing the NDF 12:29.718 --> 12:31.940 into an effective and independent force 12:31.940 --> 12:33.829 capable of securing Afghanistan , 12:33.829 --> 12:35.662 protecting the Afghan people and 12:35.662 --> 12:38.250 contributing to regional security . As 12:38.250 --> 12:40.194 secretary , Austin has said , will 12:40.194 --> 12:42.361 continue funding key capabilities such 12:42.361 --> 12:44.361 as the Afghan Air Force and Special 12:44.361 --> 12:46.250 Mission Wing will continue paying 12:46.250 --> 12:48.472 salaries for Afghan security forces and 12:48.472 --> 12:50.306 will continue delivering certain 12:50.306 --> 12:51.972 military supplies . And we're 12:51.972 --> 12:54.028 developing the mechanisms to provide 12:54.028 --> 12:56.083 appropriate oversight for the use of 12:56.083 --> 12:57.917 these funds , most of which will 12:57.917 --> 13:00.028 continue to be executed through diode 13:00.028 --> 12:59.660 contracts . And we've discussed with 12:59.660 --> 13:01.770 your staff how best to do this with 13:01.770 --> 13:03.660 efficiency and accountability . 13:04.640 --> 13:06.584 Although we're withdrawing U . S . 13:06.584 --> 13:08.696 Troops from Afghanistan were standing 13:08.696 --> 13:10.751 squarely with our Afghan partners in 13:10.751 --> 13:12.807 redoubling our diplomatic efforts to 13:12.807 --> 13:15.029 achieve a lasting peace . Afghan forces 13:15.029 --> 13:17.140 are performing heroically against the 13:17.140 --> 13:19.470 relentless adversary . The Afghan army 13:19.470 --> 13:21.620 takes heavy losses daily , but they 13:21.630 --> 13:23.574 remain in the fight and they're an 13:23.574 --> 13:25.741 institution of which the Afghan people 13:25.741 --> 13:28.080 can be proud . Mr Chairman . The 13:28.080 --> 13:29.913 department strongly supports the 13:29.913 --> 13:32.136 ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a 13:32.136 --> 13:34.080 negotiated political settlement in 13:34.080 --> 13:35.969 Afghanistan , one that the Afghan 13:35.969 --> 13:37.969 people themselves endorse and we'll 13:37.969 --> 13:40.191 continue working with our colleagues at 13:40.191 --> 13:42.358 the State Department to ensure that we 13:42.358 --> 13:42.030 take care of those afghans and their 13:42.030 --> 13:44.252 families who've helped us over the past 13:44.252 --> 13:46.141 two decades , most notably afghan 13:46.141 --> 13:48.308 employees of the Department of Defense 13:48.340 --> 13:50.507 and will continue providing sufficient 13:50.507 --> 13:52.618 support to the Department of State to 13:52.618 --> 13:54.507 maintain the important diplomatic 13:54.507 --> 13:56.562 mission that will continue after the 13:56.562 --> 13:58.784 Department of Defense is departure . In 13:58.784 --> 14:00.840 closing . I want to thank members of 14:00.840 --> 14:00.370 this committee for your continued 14:00.370 --> 14:02.481 support for all those who have served 14:02.481 --> 14:04.592 in Afghanistan . I thank you for this 14:04.592 --> 14:06.592 opportunity to brief you and I look 14:06.592 --> 14:08.537 forward to taking your questions . 14:08.537 --> 14:10.370 Thank you . Mr L . V . I believe 14:10.370 --> 14:12.426 general tetralogy . Usually I have a 14:12.426 --> 14:16.390 statement . That's correct . 14:16.390 --> 14:18.446 I do not . Thank you very much sir . 14:18.446 --> 14:20.557 Before I begin , my question is , let 14:20.557 --> 14:22.779 me remind my colleagues that because of 14:22.779 --> 14:25.510 the hybrid nature of this hearing , we 14:25.510 --> 14:27.732 will not be using the early bird rule . 14:27.732 --> 14:31.350 We're going by seniority also , we'll 14:31.350 --> 14:33.850 have five minute rounds and I would ask 14:33.850 --> 14:35.794 everyone to mute the microphone if 14:35.794 --> 14:37.906 they're not speaking . Thank you very 14:37.906 --> 14:40.170 much . Now . Mr Hell V uh and General 14:40.170 --> 14:42.410 Hollander , uh one of the critical 14:42.410 --> 14:44.790 aspects is maintaining that over the 14:44.790 --> 14:48.100 horizon capability to disrupt 14:48.110 --> 14:50.350 counterterror to terrorist groups . 14:50.840 --> 14:53.830 General Mackenzie described it as 14:53.840 --> 14:57.230 feasible but more demanding in terms of 14:57.230 --> 15:00.630 resources and other issues . Has there 15:00.630 --> 15:03.660 been any change in general Mackenzie's 15:03.660 --> 15:06.430 assessment ? Mr Holland , Elvis 15:08.540 --> 15:11.330 Mr Chairman , I believe that joe 15:11.330 --> 15:13.850 McKenzie statement is still very much 15:13.850 --> 15:16.017 accurate . I mean the geography is the 15:16.017 --> 15:19.190 same . We are working uh to develop the 15:19.190 --> 15:21.357 options to be able to provide the type 15:21.357 --> 15:23.301 of intelligence , surveillance and 15:23.301 --> 15:25.301 reconnaissance and other you know , 15:25.301 --> 15:27.301 necessary um you know , elements to 15:27.301 --> 15:29.510 maintain an appropriate C . T . Or 15:29.510 --> 15:32.490 counterterrorism capability . Those 15:32.500 --> 15:34.790 those the planning and the discussions 15:34.790 --> 15:37.090 are ongoing on how to do that . Um in 15:37.090 --> 15:39.201 the interim , I would note that we do 15:39.201 --> 15:41.368 have significant capabilities that are 15:41.368 --> 15:43.534 resident in the Persian gulf region in 15:43.534 --> 15:45.534 the Middle East . Uh that obviously 15:45.534 --> 15:47.423 creates time and distance between 15:47.423 --> 15:49.090 between there and any type of 15:49.090 --> 15:50.812 operations that we may need to 15:50.812 --> 15:52.812 undertake . Uh and we're looking at 15:52.812 --> 15:54.979 options that could be closer in within 15:54.979 --> 15:57.146 the region um in those conversations , 15:57.146 --> 15:59.257 in the planning for that is ongoing , 15:59.257 --> 16:01.423 general astrology . Do any comments on 16:01.423 --> 16:04.320 the steps that have been taken ? Uh 16:04.330 --> 16:07.770 Most recently too mitigate the risk 16:07.770 --> 16:11.250 that General Mackenzie spoke of . Mr 16:11.250 --> 16:14.460 chairman , I would only offer that uh 16:14.470 --> 16:16.748 as we approach this particular problem , 16:16.748 --> 16:19.860 there is a sense of urgency and earnest 16:20.240 --> 16:22.870 uh planning effort ongoing so that we 16:22.870 --> 16:26.440 can maintain a seamless transition 16:26.450 --> 16:28.870 from that capability that resides in 16:28.870 --> 16:31.350 Afghanistan , but we would be required 16:31.350 --> 16:33.239 to be located elsewhere . So that 16:33.239 --> 16:36.240 planning continues in earnest . Now , 16:36.240 --> 16:38.460 with these activities be undertaken 16:38.460 --> 16:40.627 with our coalition partners , Are they 16:40.627 --> 16:43.630 fully integrated into the planning and 16:43.630 --> 16:47.380 the execution and also with regional 16:47.390 --> 16:50.460 uh countries . Was healthy . 16:52.340 --> 16:55.510 We are in some discussions with certain 16:55.510 --> 16:58.620 coalition partners with respect to uh 16:58.630 --> 17:01.150 you know , future CT architecture . Uh 17:01.150 --> 17:04.820 and obviously if we have any new 17:04.820 --> 17:07.890 arrangements made for access basing and 17:07.890 --> 17:10.001 overflight , that would be undertaken 17:10.001 --> 17:12.360 in consultation with local partners . 17:12.740 --> 17:14.880 Uh and these these are the types of 17:14.890 --> 17:17.100 negotiations that are that are under 17:17.110 --> 17:19.660 that are underway now that we're 17:19.660 --> 17:21.670 supporting our State Department 17:21.670 --> 17:23.781 Intelligence community colleagues are 17:23.781 --> 17:25.948 also playing a role in that one of the 17:26.340 --> 17:29.990 uh specific articles in the agreement 17:30.000 --> 17:32.167 that the trump administration sign was 17:32.167 --> 17:34.740 the removal of all contractors . And 17:34.740 --> 17:36.890 yet you indicated in your statement 17:36.890 --> 17:39.550 that we will be using contractors to 17:39.940 --> 17:42.760 pay , distribute and overview the 17:42.770 --> 17:46.590 distribution of resources . How do we 17:46.600 --> 17:50.030 reconcile the appears 17:50.030 --> 17:52.560 complete withdrawal of contractors with 17:52.560 --> 17:55.660 contractors ? Uh 17:56.340 --> 17:59.120 Mr Chairman , I had indicated it was 17:59.130 --> 18:01.500 duty contracts which may not 18:01.500 --> 18:05.180 necessarily involve dont contractors on 18:05.180 --> 18:07.510 the ground in Afghanistan . So we are 18:07.510 --> 18:09.732 looking at ways that we can provide the 18:09.732 --> 18:12.710 type of oversight for our security 18:12.710 --> 18:16.350 force assistance uh from an over the 18:16.350 --> 18:18.517 horizon posture . And we're looking at 18:18.517 --> 18:20.739 options that we can continue doing that 18:20.739 --> 18:22.739 internally . I think the key things 18:22.739 --> 18:24.739 that we're focused on uh are things 18:24.739 --> 18:28.160 like paying afghan salaries . A vast 18:28.160 --> 18:31.140 majority of the of the service members 18:31.140 --> 18:33.970 that are paid have electronic bank 18:33.970 --> 18:36.081 accounts , for example . And so there 18:36.081 --> 18:38.248 are ways that we can provide that uh , 18:38.248 --> 18:40.137 to the Afghan Ministry of Finance 18:40.137 --> 18:42.137 without necessarily having somebody 18:42.137 --> 18:44.248 there . But we do , we are looking at 18:44.248 --> 18:46.081 how to provide the right type of 18:46.081 --> 18:48.250 oversight uh , mechanisms so that we 18:48.250 --> 18:50.472 have confidence that the resources that 18:50.472 --> 18:52.250 were providing are going to its 18:52.250 --> 18:54.306 intended recipients . And we want to 18:54.306 --> 18:54.230 make sure that we're working very 18:54.230 --> 18:56.370 closely with Congress to ensure that 18:56.370 --> 18:58.314 Congress is comfortable with those 18:58.314 --> 19:00.648 mechanisms as well . General Astrologer , 19:00.840 --> 19:03.010 one of my impressions is the key 19:03.010 --> 19:05.560 contractors are those mechanics that 19:05.560 --> 19:08.840 service their aircraft , Those 19:08.850 --> 19:12.630 especially trained individuals and the 19:12.630 --> 19:16.300 Afghan . After 20 years to our chagrin . 19:16.310 --> 19:18.660 Uh , we have not created a cadre of 19:18.660 --> 19:20.820 those types of individuals . How can 19:20.820 --> 19:23.280 they effectively maintain aircraft and 19:23.290 --> 19:27.030 uh , others fairly sophisticated pieces 19:27.030 --> 19:28.030 of equipment . 19:32.540 --> 19:35.390 Mr Chairman . We continue to work with 19:35.390 --> 19:37.750 them , uh , uh , looking at the 19:37.750 --> 19:39.972 potential ways , a variety of ways that 19:39.972 --> 19:42.139 we can get after continuing to support 19:42.139 --> 19:44.306 them , uh , to work on the aircraft in 19:44.306 --> 19:46.400 country and then looking at options 19:46.400 --> 19:48.380 whereby we can facilitate more 19:48.380 --> 19:50.650 extensive work on those airframes 19:50.650 --> 19:54.310 elsewhere . A final question . General 19:54.310 --> 19:57.410 Collins . We missed a lot of signals in 19:57.410 --> 20:01.230 2014 about the status of the Iraqi 20:01.230 --> 20:03.440 Army and then suddenly they collapsed 20:03.450 --> 20:06.970 before Mosul . And it was a a rush to 20:06.970 --> 20:09.120 safety on their part not to contact 20:09.120 --> 20:11.580 with the enemy . How can we avoid that 20:11.580 --> 20:14.660 same situation on the ground in 20:14.660 --> 20:17.430 Afghanistan ? At least knowing the that 20:17.440 --> 20:20.810 the strength and uh fighting 20:20.820 --> 20:23.153 capabilities of the force on the ground . 20:24.640 --> 20:26.418 MR Chairman , as we execute the 20:26.418 --> 20:29.580 retrograde , we're going to continue to 20:29.580 --> 20:31.913 maintain contact with R . N . D . S . F . 20:31.913 --> 20:34.660 Partners , do what we can uh from 20:34.670 --> 20:37.230 elsewhere from outside the country and 20:37.230 --> 20:39.397 maintain good situational awareness of 20:39.397 --> 20:41.420 their current capabilities and any 20:41.420 --> 20:44.280 areas where we where they may be 20:44.280 --> 20:46.560 challenged and we may be able to help 20:46.560 --> 20:48.727 them . Thank you very much . Senator . 20:48.727 --> 20:51.060 Normal Police . Thank you . Mr Chairman . 20:51.060 --> 20:53.320 I know I sound like a broken record , 20:53.320 --> 20:56.160 but I've only had , I've had two 20:56.170 --> 20:59.270 consistent concerns with the action in 20:59.270 --> 21:02.460 Afghanistan . And I want to ask you 21:02.470 --> 21:05.830 each one a specific question about each 21:05.840 --> 21:08.840 of these things , one of course , being 21:08.840 --> 21:10.840 with what was supposed to have been 21:10.840 --> 21:12.507 done before , we would have a 21:12.507 --> 21:14.618 withdrawal and the other having to do 21:14.618 --> 21:18.540 with a concern for our coalition forces 21:18.630 --> 21:22.310 in their safety . So , and the first 21:22.310 --> 21:25.960 one , I think You all were are very 21:25.960 --> 21:28.850 familiar with the document of February 21:28.860 --> 21:32.200 29 2020 . That was the US Taliban 21:32.200 --> 21:34.980 agreement established a conditions 21:34.980 --> 21:37.530 based approach drawing down troops in 21:37.530 --> 21:39.308 Afghanistan . According to this 21:39.308 --> 21:41.530 agreement , the Taliban was supposed to 21:41.530 --> 21:43.650 take certain steps against terrorist 21:43.650 --> 21:47.450 groups and participate in in intra 21:47.460 --> 21:49.780 Afghan dialogue on the country's 21:49.780 --> 21:52.020 political future . Now , what I'd like 21:52.020 --> 21:54.190 to ask each one of you to briefly 21:54.190 --> 21:58.070 respond to in your assessment , what 21:58.080 --> 22:01.630 areas has this agreement come to , 22:01.640 --> 22:03.751 what's behind us now ? What successes 22:03.751 --> 22:06.490 have we had In which conditions have 22:06.490 --> 22:08.800 been met , in which ones have not been 22:08.800 --> 22:11.430 met from that agreement ? In February 22:11.430 --> 22:14.100 29 , 2020 . To start with you , Mr 22:14.100 --> 22:18.050 Secretary , sir . Thank you for 22:18.050 --> 22:20.600 that question . I would I would say 22:20.610 --> 22:22.860 right up front that the taliban's 22:22.860 --> 22:24.971 compliance with the agreement has has 22:24.971 --> 22:28.490 been uneven over time . And I think in 22:28.490 --> 22:31.780 terms of areas that we have seen uh 22:31.790 --> 22:35.250 young eh they follow through 22:35.250 --> 22:37.830 or you know , success um 22:37.840 --> 22:41.780 they did comply with their agreement 22:41.780 --> 22:45.190 not to conduct attacks against the U . 22:45.190 --> 22:47.301 S . Or coalition forces following the 22:47.301 --> 22:49.301 signing the agreement . And that is 22:49.301 --> 22:51.523 largely held with some very minor minor 22:51.523 --> 22:54.220 exceptions . So I think in terms of the 22:54.220 --> 22:56.553 attacks against US and coalition forces , 22:56.553 --> 22:59.270 they complied with that as I've 22:59.280 --> 23:01.620 testified publicly and said publicly 23:01.630 --> 23:04.160 previously . However , their violence 23:04.160 --> 23:07.220 against the Afghan forces uh in the 23:07.220 --> 23:09.053 afghan people remained very high 23:09.053 --> 23:11.580 throughout this period with respect to 23:11.590 --> 23:13.480 the entering into inter afghan 23:13.480 --> 23:15.830 negotiations . They did do that last 23:15.830 --> 23:18.890 september . They began discussions with 23:18.890 --> 23:22.090 the with the Afghan government on on 23:22.090 --> 23:24.310 future peace arrangements . Those uh 23:24.320 --> 23:27.130 those discussions have not been have 23:27.130 --> 23:29.750 not been fruitful . Uh but they did 23:29.750 --> 23:31.972 begin , that's fine . We're running out 23:31.972 --> 23:35.000 of time here . General . Do you 23:35.010 --> 23:37.480 generally agree with the comments of 23:37.480 --> 23:39.313 the answer that was given by the 23:39.313 --> 23:42.400 secretary Senator ? I do agree and 23:42.400 --> 23:44.950 would just offer that as mr healthy 23:44.950 --> 23:47.260 mentioned since that agreement was 23:47.260 --> 23:51.200 signed , the Taliban has not targeted 23:51.210 --> 23:54.180 the U . S . Or coalition forces . I 23:54.190 --> 23:56.412 think that's kind of a mixed answer . I 23:56.412 --> 23:58.950 understand , I appreciate it but I 23:58.950 --> 24:01.006 don't think we've met the conditions 24:01.006 --> 24:03.228 that we talked about and of course this 24:03.228 --> 24:05.339 is a different administration . Now . 24:05.339 --> 24:07.061 The second area that I've been 24:07.061 --> 24:09.117 concerned about for a long period of 24:09.117 --> 24:11.228 time came from a number of articles , 24:11.228 --> 24:13.228 an awareness that's out there we've 24:13.228 --> 24:15.650 seen . And one of them was that I 24:15.660 --> 24:19.590 actually had talked about was found in 24:19.590 --> 24:21.670 the USA Today 24:22.560 --> 24:25.820 May chance now in this thing . They 24:25.820 --> 24:27.820 talked about what's what's going to 24:27.820 --> 24:30.310 happen with our allies , people who 24:30.310 --> 24:34.200 stood by us and if we withdraw 24:34.200 --> 24:36.367 in a manner that they're talking about 24:36.540 --> 24:39.090 and such things in the article , say , 24:39.110 --> 24:41.880 quote , that you will see the dead 24:41.880 --> 24:45.700 bodies every street and uh where 24:45.710 --> 24:48.940 he said he's already being tracked by 24:48.940 --> 24:51.700 the the taliban . There were 24:51.700 --> 24:54.280 slaughterers . They're in a panic right 24:54.280 --> 24:56.930 now because there's been such a backlog 24:56.930 --> 25:00.350 of these visas , it goes on and on . 25:00.350 --> 25:02.517 And I do want to ask you at this point 25:02.517 --> 25:04.739 in the record , Mr Chairman , that must 25:04.739 --> 25:07.850 be a part of the record and without 25:07.850 --> 25:10.020 etcetera . So I'd like to know from 25:10.020 --> 25:12.330 each one of you what has happened , 25:12.330 --> 25:14.441 What have we been doing ? What are we 25:14.441 --> 25:17.400 doing now to try to assuming that these 25:17.400 --> 25:19.456 problems are very real , and I don't 25:19.456 --> 25:21.622 think anyone's going to deny that they 25:21.622 --> 25:25.280 are that we can help our allies for the 25:25.280 --> 25:27.620 great job they have done for us . I'd 25:27.620 --> 25:29.980 like to have each of you respond . 25:29.980 --> 25:31.813 Let's start with you on this one 25:31.813 --> 25:34.036 general . What can we do right now ? To 25:34.036 --> 25:38.030 minimize the event ? Senator ? 25:38.040 --> 25:41.030 We continue to coordinate very closely 25:41.040 --> 25:44.580 with our coalition partners . Um We we 25:44.580 --> 25:46.370 went into this together . We've 25:46.370 --> 25:48.580 adjusted over the years together and 25:48.580 --> 25:50.413 we're coming out together and we 25:50.413 --> 25:52.630 continue to work together uh to do our 25:52.630 --> 25:55.030 best to support the A and E . S . F . 25:55.040 --> 25:56.730 And and and the government of 25:56.740 --> 25:59.670 Afghanistan . You say we're coming out 25:59.670 --> 26:03.360 together ? That's correct . Look at 26:03.360 --> 26:05.693 that to me , that makes that even worse . 26:05.693 --> 26:09.200 What do you think ? Mr Secretary Uh 26:09.210 --> 26:11.432 senator , thank you for that question . 26:11.432 --> 26:13.599 And I agree with you . We have a moral 26:13.599 --> 26:15.821 obligation to help those that have have 26:15.821 --> 26:19.340 helped us over the past 20 years of of 26:19.350 --> 26:21.683 of our presence and work in Afghanistan . 26:21.740 --> 26:23.796 We are working very closely with our 26:23.796 --> 26:25.462 State Department inter agency 26:25.462 --> 26:27.684 colleagues to look at programs like the 26:27.684 --> 26:29.518 special immigrant visa program . 26:29.518 --> 26:31.407 However , as you know , that that 26:31.407 --> 26:33.462 program in of itself is limited , uh 26:33.462 --> 26:35.351 we'd like to be able to work with 26:35.351 --> 26:37.351 Congress to be able to increase the 26:37.351 --> 26:39.620 quotas and the resources for special 26:39.620 --> 26:42.460 immigrant visas . But there are certain 26:42.460 --> 26:45.710 categories of our Afghan partners that 26:45.710 --> 26:47.710 wouldn't need the thresholds for 26:47.710 --> 26:49.932 special immigrant visas . So we need to 26:49.932 --> 26:51.599 look at other tools and other 26:51.599 --> 26:53.710 mechanisms uh to help those that have 26:53.710 --> 26:55.780 helped us , uh whether that's uh 26:55.790 --> 26:57.457 significant public benefit or 26:57.457 --> 26:59.590 humanitarian parole or other types of 26:59.590 --> 27:01.740 mechanisms that we can use to to 27:01.740 --> 27:03.796 facilitate this . And we are working 27:03.840 --> 27:06.020 within the inter agency to be able to 27:06.020 --> 27:08.300 identify those and and get the proper 27:08.300 --> 27:10.522 resources attached to them with respect 27:10.522 --> 27:12.411 to special immigrant visas . Were 27:12.411 --> 27:14.189 working very closely with State 27:14.189 --> 27:16.411 Department to identify and provide data 27:16.411 --> 27:18.022 that can help to provide the 27:18.022 --> 27:20.189 identification the identities of those 27:20.189 --> 27:22.356 employees of the Department of Defense 27:22.356 --> 27:24.578 that would qualify . We're also looking 27:24.578 --> 27:26.800 at biometric data , which can also help 27:26.800 --> 27:28.911 to provide information and insight on 27:28.911 --> 27:31.022 who may qualify for that type of that 27:31.022 --> 27:34.090 type of Okay , my my time has expired , 27:34.090 --> 27:37.120 but I don't get a lot of comfort out of 27:37.120 --> 27:39.342 those answers . I'm very much concerned 27:39.342 --> 27:41.564 about those . Thank you . Mr Chairman . 27:41.564 --> 27:43.620 Thank you . Senator Inhofe . Senator 27:43.620 --> 27:45.787 Shane . Please Thank you . Mr Chairman 27:45.787 --> 27:47.953 Mr Hell V . I want to begin by sharing 27:47.953 --> 27:49.953 the chairman's frustration with the 27:49.953 --> 27:52.064 fact that we don't have not been able 27:52.064 --> 27:54.398 to hear from our general in Afghanistan . 27:54.398 --> 27:56.564 It's very difficult for this committee 27:56.564 --> 27:58.050 to conduct its oversight 27:58.050 --> 28:00.217 responsibilities when we can't get the 28:00.217 --> 28:02.328 appropriate people in front of us and 28:02.328 --> 28:04.550 there is no excuse for that . So I hope 28:04.550 --> 28:06.272 you will take that back to the 28:06.272 --> 28:08.383 department and share that with them . 28:08.383 --> 28:10.606 Um general challenger . There have been 28:10.606 --> 28:12.970 multiple reports over the last months 28:12.980 --> 28:16.460 since the February 2020 agreement that 28:17.540 --> 28:19.707 the Taliban have not broken their ties 28:19.707 --> 28:21.929 with Al Qaeda . That Al Qaeda continues 28:21.929 --> 28:23.651 to operate with the Taliban in 28:23.651 --> 28:25.710 Afghanistan and that ISIS also is 28:25.710 --> 28:28.990 operating in Afghanistan . Is that your 28:29.000 --> 28:30.667 understanding and is that the 28:30.667 --> 28:32.889 understanding of our military people on 28:32.889 --> 28:34.333 the ground in Afghanistan 28:35.940 --> 28:39.870 Senator ? It's clear that the uh the 28:39.870 --> 28:42.092 taliban's compliance with the agreement 28:42.092 --> 28:45.060 has been uneven , but I would prefer to 28:45.060 --> 28:47.116 go into detail on that in our closed 28:47.116 --> 28:50.560 session . I 28:50.560 --> 28:52.930 appreciate that however people are 28:52.930 --> 28:55.097 going to know very soon . Once we pull 28:55.097 --> 28:58.390 out whether Al Qaeda and Isis continued 28:58.390 --> 29:01.210 to operate in Afghanistan . Mr Harvey . 29:01.210 --> 29:04.350 I appreciated your support for those 29:04.350 --> 29:06.890 Afghans who have helped us during our 29:06.890 --> 29:10.720 20 years in Afghanistan . Um but I 29:10.720 --> 29:12.720 think we've got to be clearer about 29:12.720 --> 29:14.664 what we're doing to address that . 29:14.664 --> 29:17.320 Currently there are estimated 18,000 29:17.330 --> 29:19.820 Afghan s ivy applicants currently in 29:19.820 --> 29:22.590 process . These applicants and their 29:22.590 --> 29:24.812 families , as we know , are in imminent 29:24.812 --> 29:27.130 danger from the Taliban . Many of the 29:27.130 --> 29:29.610 delays in the S . I . V . Programs stem 29:29.610 --> 29:31.332 from the difficulty that those 29:31.332 --> 29:32.999 applicants have and obtaining 29:32.999 --> 29:35.330 employment verification letters from 29:35.330 --> 29:37.910 former and often defunct employers . 29:37.920 --> 29:40.210 And considering that many of those 29:40.210 --> 29:42.266 applicants have served in support of 29:42.266 --> 29:44.680 the military and directly with the 29:44.680 --> 29:46.800 Department of Defense , do we have a 29:46.800 --> 29:49.060 centralized database that can be used 29:49.060 --> 29:51.360 to verify the employment of those s ivy 29:51.360 --> 29:55.170 applicants ? Sarah is my 29:55.170 --> 29:57.226 understanding that we we are drawing 29:57.226 --> 29:59.140 from a centralized database to to 29:59.150 --> 30:01.270 collect and provide biometric data to 30:01.270 --> 30:03.660 facilitate that type of identification . 30:03.670 --> 30:06.740 I don't have the specific the scope for 30:06.740 --> 30:08.851 how long that biometric data has been 30:08.851 --> 30:10.962 collected . So I think there are some 30:10.962 --> 30:13.073 gaps in that . But since we began the 30:13.073 --> 30:15.018 collection and maintenance of that 30:15.018 --> 30:17.240 biometric data , we've been able to use 30:17.240 --> 30:20.340 that . There are uh Afghan individuals 30:20.340 --> 30:22.340 that have supported us prior to the 30:22.350 --> 30:24.517 collection of that biometric data that 30:24.517 --> 30:26.572 we are . We're looking to pull other 30:26.572 --> 30:28.739 resources of data to provide that type 30:28.739 --> 30:30.794 of information to State Department . 30:30.794 --> 30:32.794 Can you share with me and with this 30:32.794 --> 30:35.017 committee specifically what we're doing 30:35.017 --> 30:38.410 with that data ? Uh Senator . If I if I 30:38.410 --> 30:40.577 can provide that in in writing just to 30:40.577 --> 30:42.743 provide this , that would be great . I 30:42.743 --> 30:45.740 appreciate that . Um In fiscal year 30:45.740 --> 30:48.480 2014 N . D . H . A . Required that the 30:48.480 --> 30:50.702 Secretary of Defense designate a senior 30:50.702 --> 30:53.090 coordinating official and I'm quoting 30:53.100 --> 30:55.211 with sufficient expertise , authority 30:55.211 --> 30:57.322 and resources to carry out the duties 30:57.322 --> 30:59.489 with regard to the issuance of S . I . 30:59.489 --> 31:01.600 V . S . Um It tasks the official with 31:01.600 --> 31:03.600 developing proposals to improve the 31:03.600 --> 31:05.600 efficiency and effectiveness of the 31:05.600 --> 31:07.656 process . Can you tell me if we have 31:07.656 --> 31:09.656 someone designated to do that , who 31:09.656 --> 31:11.600 that person is and if not , are we 31:11.600 --> 31:13.711 going to appoint someone to do that ? 31:17.340 --> 31:19.610 I will have to get back to the center . 31:19.610 --> 31:21.721 I think that I mean state departments 31:21.721 --> 31:23.832 in the lead for this program . Um And 31:23.832 --> 31:27.100 so let me find out who that if there is 31:27.110 --> 31:29.221 such a special coordinator performing 31:29.221 --> 31:31.443 that function , I can tell you that . I 31:31.443 --> 31:33.388 don't believe that there is . So I 31:33.388 --> 31:35.388 would urge the department to take a 31:35.388 --> 31:37.620 look at . Um finally , let me just ask 31:37.620 --> 31:40.570 you in the time that I have left about 31:40.580 --> 31:43.020 the status of women and girls in 31:43.020 --> 31:45.350 Afghanistan . We know that on May eight 31:45.740 --> 31:47.796 There was a best bombing that killed 31:47.796 --> 31:50.018 more than 80 people . Many of them were 31:50.018 --> 31:53.090 schoolgirls . We have seen the violence 31:53.090 --> 31:55.201 against women , particularly women in 31:55.201 --> 31:57.370 the media and women working in 31:57.370 --> 31:59.650 Afghanistan over the last months . And 31:59.650 --> 32:02.750 we based on what we understand from the 32:02.750 --> 32:06.040 taliban , we expect that continue once 32:06.040 --> 32:09.450 the United States pulls out . So , can 32:10.540 --> 32:12.429 you speak to any steps that we're 32:12.429 --> 32:14.651 taking to try and support the women and 32:14.651 --> 32:16.873 girls of Afghanistan , and particularly 32:17.540 --> 32:19.762 in the context of the Women , Peace and 32:19.762 --> 32:22.270 Security Act in 2017 , which requires 32:22.270 --> 32:25.060 the department to incorporate a gender 32:25.070 --> 32:26.848 lens , decision making into its 32:26.848 --> 32:28.848 policies and actions . Are we doing 32:28.848 --> 32:31.590 anything to involve women as we're 32:31.600 --> 32:33.860 looking at what happens after we leave 32:35.540 --> 32:37.651 uh senator with respect to what we're 32:37.651 --> 32:40.880 doing today ? We we are using some of 32:40.880 --> 32:43.170 the funding within the Afghan security 32:43.170 --> 32:46.290 forces funder , Asif to uh encourage 32:46.290 --> 32:48.200 and build in the Afghan women in 32:48.200 --> 32:50.200 particular into the Afghan National 32:50.200 --> 32:52.256 Defence and Security Forces . And so 32:52.256 --> 32:54.256 that is something that we are doing 32:54.256 --> 32:56.367 with respect to what we've been doing 32:56.367 --> 32:58.478 that for some time , though . Is that 32:58.478 --> 33:00.644 Not correct ? Yes . Sen . That that is 33:00.644 --> 33:02.700 something that we have been doing in 33:02.700 --> 33:05.440 compliance with the law uh in terms of 33:05.440 --> 33:07.650 where we need to go . I agree with you 33:07.660 --> 33:10.120 100% . We want to be able to maintain 33:10.130 --> 33:12.430 uh and see the gains that we've made 33:12.430 --> 33:15.300 over the past 20 years preserved . We 33:15.300 --> 33:17.133 are this is something that we're 33:17.133 --> 33:19.300 working with our State Department us , 33:19.300 --> 33:21.133 I'd colleagues and our coalition 33:21.133 --> 33:23.300 partners who are equally interested in 33:23.300 --> 33:25.022 this . Uh I think , you know , 33:25.022 --> 33:27.189 fundamentally this is going to have to 33:27.189 --> 33:30.080 be something that the the the Afghan 33:30.080 --> 33:32.136 government and the Taliban , if they 33:32.136 --> 33:34.191 are able to sit in and determine the 33:34.191 --> 33:35.913 arrangements for the future of 33:35.913 --> 33:38.080 Afghanistan , to figure out how to get 33:38.080 --> 33:40.930 to that peaceful outcome , outcome and 33:40.930 --> 33:43.940 to to be able to preserve these gains 33:43.940 --> 33:47.780 for all afghans . Uh I think 33:47.780 --> 33:50.040 as with respect to what the taliban 33:50.040 --> 33:52.410 does in the future , this is something 33:52.410 --> 33:54.466 that Ambassador Khalilzad has talked 33:54.466 --> 33:56.688 about at some point there . If they are 33:56.688 --> 33:58.910 in a position where they are exercising 33:59.040 --> 34:00.910 power influence in Afghanistan , 34:00.910 --> 34:02.577 they're going to need to have 34:02.577 --> 34:04.688 international support . And that does 34:04.688 --> 34:06.799 provide a degree of leverage that the 34:06.799 --> 34:08.910 international community would have on 34:08.910 --> 34:11.132 the taliban in how it treats the people 34:11.132 --> 34:13.299 within the borders well , I appreciate 34:13.299 --> 34:15.299 that answer , but we have had a lot 34:15.299 --> 34:17.466 more leverage if we had made the point 34:17.466 --> 34:19.688 to the taliban when we were negotiating 34:19.688 --> 34:21.910 a peace agreement before we signed it . 34:21.910 --> 34:24.132 Thank you . Mr . Chairman , Thank you . 34:24.132 --> 34:26.243 Senator jean . Now , let me recognize 34:26.243 --> 34:28.920 via Webex . Senator round . Thank you . 34:28.920 --> 34:32.500 Mr Chairman . Um Gentlemen , first of 34:32.500 --> 34:35.130 all , let me thank you both for being 34:35.130 --> 34:37.480 here before us today . Uh we most 34:37.480 --> 34:39.591 certainly appreciate your candor . We 34:39.591 --> 34:40.591 can't hear you . 34:47.940 --> 34:48.940 How about now ? 34:52.140 --> 34:54.307 We can hear you on webex but maybe not 34:54.307 --> 34:57.860 in the committee room . So mike we can 34:57.860 --> 35:00.027 hear you on web back so staff just has 35:00.027 --> 35:02.249 to turn up your volume in the committee 35:02.249 --> 35:05.530 room . Yeah , I think they need to He 35:05.530 --> 35:08.560 got it now . We can hear you now . All 35:08.560 --> 35:10.504 right , great , Yeah , thank you . 35:10.504 --> 35:12.616 Thanks Senator joe brand , appreciate 35:12.616 --> 35:14.671 that . Uh Gentlemen , first of all , 35:14.671 --> 35:16.782 let me just begin by saying thank you 35:16.782 --> 35:19.004 very much for your time in front of the 35:19.004 --> 35:21.227 committee today . I don't think this is 35:21.227 --> 35:23.449 necessarily the type of uh of a meeting 35:23.449 --> 35:25.393 that you relish to come before the 35:25.393 --> 35:27.940 United States Senate . Um , I want to 35:27.940 --> 35:30.590 begin by acknowledging that there is no 35:30.590 --> 35:33.800 perfect answer . So what should be done 35:33.810 --> 35:36.260 next in Afghanistan ? We've been in a 35:36.260 --> 35:38.450 protracted state of war for almost 20 35:38.450 --> 35:41.990 years , At least 20 448 service members 35:41.990 --> 35:44.840 and civilians have died . An additional 35:44.840 --> 35:48.240 20,722 service members and d . o . d . 35:48.240 --> 35:50.530 civilians have been wounded in action . 35:50.530 --> 35:52.808 According to the current diode website . 35:53.440 --> 35:55.551 The human cost has also been borne by 35:55.551 --> 35:57.900 our NATO allies , the Afghan National 35:57.900 --> 36:00.850 Security Forces and the Afghan people . 36:01.430 --> 36:05.100 Finally , we can never forget the 20 36:05.100 --> 36:08.090 997 people who were killed in 911 . My 36:08.090 --> 36:11.340 question is this , is there a middle 36:11.340 --> 36:13.980 ground where we continue or what we 36:13.980 --> 36:16.300 could continue to support the 36:16.300 --> 36:18.740 government of Afghanistan that would 36:18.740 --> 36:20.930 recognize the lives sacrificed in the 36:20.930 --> 36:23.550 hundreds of billions of dollars our 36:23.550 --> 36:25.883 citizens have invested in this endeavor , 36:26.230 --> 36:28.280 one that provides the resources to 36:28.280 --> 36:31.080 Afghanistan to prevent a return to 36:31.080 --> 36:34.170 being a haven for terrorists or the 36:34.170 --> 36:37.540 creation of a power vacuum which would 36:37.540 --> 36:41.200 benefit China Russia and Iran . While 36:41.200 --> 36:43.144 the Afghan government develops the 36:43.144 --> 36:45.640 unique capabilities that only we 36:45.640 --> 36:48.840 currently can provide . Gentlemen , 36:51.630 --> 36:53.741 Sarah , thank you for that question . 36:53.741 --> 36:56.110 And uh if I made that , that is that is 36:56.110 --> 36:58.277 the path that we are we are seeking to 36:58.277 --> 37:01.540 embark upon while we are uh retro 37:01.540 --> 37:04.650 grading the forces out of Afghanistan , 37:04.660 --> 37:06.882 We are , we want to make sure , and the 37:06.882 --> 37:08.938 president has been clear he wants to 37:08.938 --> 37:10.660 continue providing support and 37:10.660 --> 37:12.950 assistance to our afghan partners . So 37:12.950 --> 37:15.172 to the extent that we can we're looking 37:15.172 --> 37:16.894 at ways to be able to continue 37:16.894 --> 37:19.228 providing the critical support to the N . 37:19.228 --> 37:21.600 D . S . F . Uh in terms of continue 37:21.600 --> 37:23.433 paying their salaries , continue 37:23.433 --> 37:26.310 providing assistance for contracted 37:26.320 --> 37:28.542 logistics and maintenance and providing 37:28.542 --> 37:32.010 support for the Afghan air forces in 37:32.010 --> 37:34.860 the special Mission wing . Which are , 37:34.870 --> 37:37.720 let me just ask this , are you talking 37:37.720 --> 37:39.831 about providing that until we are out 37:39.831 --> 37:41.831 of the country ? Or are you talking 37:41.831 --> 37:43.942 about providing that over an extended 37:43.942 --> 37:45.998 period of time ? We're talking about 37:45.998 --> 37:47.942 providing that after we leave . In 37:47.942 --> 37:50.053 addition , the challenge that we face 37:50.053 --> 37:52.276 today is making sure that we've got the 37:52.276 --> 37:54.498 right type of oversight mechanisms that 37:54.498 --> 37:56.664 were working . But the intent would be 37:56.664 --> 37:58.664 that we would maintain that support 37:58.664 --> 38:00.664 provided . We also continue get the 38:00.664 --> 38:02.776 support from Congress . Uh The intent 38:02.776 --> 38:04.609 would be we would maintain those 38:04.609 --> 38:06.760 resources and that assistance to the 38:06.760 --> 38:09.690 Afghan government . Um Yeah , well , 38:09.700 --> 38:12.110 thank you . I appreciate . I think 38:12.110 --> 38:14.400 you're answering my question on I do 38:14.400 --> 38:16.289 want to ask general trolling your 38:16.289 --> 38:18.067 rather than asking you the same 38:18.067 --> 38:20.289 question are expecting you to respond . 38:20.289 --> 38:22.400 I think because this will be a policy 38:22.400 --> 38:24.511 decision that the administration will 38:24.511 --> 38:26.622 be making . I want to go to you and I 38:26.622 --> 38:28.456 want to ask you this with the US 38:28.456 --> 38:30.233 withdrawing U . S . Forces from 38:30.233 --> 38:32.490 Afghanistan by september , want to ask 38:32.490 --> 38:34.601 to question the ability of the Afghan 38:34.601 --> 38:36.730 security forces to stand their ground 38:36.730 --> 38:39.450 against the Taliban and our ability to 38:39.450 --> 38:41.561 successfully conduct over the horizon 38:41.561 --> 38:43.710 counterterrorism operations . I know 38:43.710 --> 38:45.766 we've kind of touched on that little 38:45.766 --> 38:48.280 bit , but I want to ask it this way in 38:48.280 --> 38:50.391 your professional military judgment , 38:51.120 --> 38:53.640 can we successfully and continually 38:53.790 --> 38:56.150 combat threats posed by the Taliban , 38:56.520 --> 38:59.340 al Qaeda and other violent extremist 38:59.340 --> 39:02.040 organizations via over the horizon 39:02.040 --> 39:06.010 operations ? I 39:06.020 --> 39:08.880 absolutely believe we can senator we 39:08.880 --> 39:11.440 have the capabilities uh to be able to 39:11.440 --> 39:13.450 posture in the region where it's 39:13.450 --> 39:15.760 required . We have the capabilities to 39:15.760 --> 39:18.840 be able to monitor uh potential 39:18.840 --> 39:21.600 adversaries , attractive as adversaries 39:21.600 --> 39:25.050 and then strike when conditions permit 39:25.060 --> 39:28.870 and allow . Do we have the 39:28.870 --> 39:30.814 will to do that ? Is that the plan 39:30.814 --> 39:34.710 right now ? The plan right now 39:34.710 --> 39:37.120 would be to uh make a seamless 39:37.120 --> 39:40.180 transition from what we have currently 39:40.180 --> 39:43.880 in Afghanistan uh to other locations 39:43.890 --> 39:45.612 that would be able to meet our 39:45.612 --> 39:48.240 overarching objectives of ensuring that 39:48.240 --> 39:50.462 Afghanistan doesn't become a safe haven 39:50.462 --> 39:52.860 for terrorists that would attack the US 39:52.860 --> 39:56.100 our allies . General , thank you for 39:56.100 --> 39:58.156 your answers . Mr Chairman , I yield 39:58.156 --> 40:00.156 back . Thank you very much centered 40:00.156 --> 40:02.489 around now . Let me recognize Iowa back , 40:02.489 --> 40:04.489 Senator Gillibrand , thank you . Mr 40:04.489 --> 40:06.489 Chairman . I'd like to continue the 40:06.489 --> 40:08.322 questioning that Senator Shaheen 40:08.322 --> 40:10.960 started general Challenger with the U . 40:10.960 --> 40:13.640 S . And NATO's departure . Human rights 40:13.640 --> 40:15.973 groups , non governmental organizations , 40:15.973 --> 40:18.196 schools and business are left trying to 40:18.196 --> 40:20.418 figure out contingency plans for female 40:20.418 --> 40:23.310 employees for female students should 40:23.310 --> 40:25.477 the taliban returned to power by force 40:25.477 --> 40:27.699 or through an agreement with the Afghan 40:27.699 --> 40:29.921 government ? Considering the Taliban is 40:29.921 --> 40:32.143 already restricting the human rights of 40:32.143 --> 40:34.421 women and the territories they control . 40:34.421 --> 40:36.510 What is the U . S . Doing to ensure 40:36.510 --> 40:38.800 peace negotiations result in a deal 40:38.800 --> 40:40.744 that protects women throughout the 40:40.744 --> 40:42.578 country , particularly after the 40:42.578 --> 40:46.550 withdrawal . Senator . 40:46.550 --> 40:48.790 We continue to support the A . And E . 40:48.790 --> 40:51.900 S . F . And intend to do so going 40:51.900 --> 40:54.400 forward . Even as we retrograde from 40:54.400 --> 40:57.410 Afghanistan , we also continue to work 40:57.410 --> 40:59.810 with our coalition allies and partners 40:59.830 --> 41:03.320 to facilitate uh diplomatic pressure 41:03.500 --> 41:06.100 that can be put on against the taliban 41:06.100 --> 41:09.070 to work out a peaceful agreement 41:09.080 --> 41:12.980 negotiations with Gero uh such that 41:12.990 --> 41:15.940 women's rights , girls rights et cetera 41:15.940 --> 41:19.940 are protected . Mr healthy . Over the 41:19.940 --> 41:21.996 last two decades , the United States 41:21.996 --> 41:23.880 has spent more than $780 million 41:23.880 --> 41:25.991 dollars to promote women's rights and 41:25.991 --> 41:28.150 gender equality in Afghanistan . And 41:28.150 --> 41:30.428 the efforts have yielded mixed results . 41:30.428 --> 41:32.920 What kinds and amounts of funding 41:32.920 --> 41:35.290 should we expect in the future ? How 41:35.290 --> 41:37.401 will funding be implemented given the 41:37.401 --> 41:39.123 security situation after troop 41:39.123 --> 41:41.660 withdrawals ? Uh and second Afghan 41:41.660 --> 41:44.350 women have pointed to the vocal support 41:44.350 --> 41:46.072 by the United States and other 41:46.072 --> 41:48.239 international actors as key factors to 41:48.239 --> 41:50.350 advancing rights and participation in 41:50.350 --> 41:52.683 the public sphere . What will the U . S . 41:52.683 --> 41:54.572 Do to continue to advance women's 41:54.572 --> 41:56.739 rights and gender equality ? Senator ? 41:56.739 --> 41:58.794 Thank you for that question . And uh 41:58.794 --> 42:01.017 and you're right to point out , we have 42:01.017 --> 42:03.350 we have spent resources to to promote 42:03.350 --> 42:05.572 the rights of women and girls and other 42:05.572 --> 42:07.820 minorities in Afghanistan as part of 42:07.820 --> 42:11.810 our policy and approach there . I I 42:11.810 --> 42:13.532 don't want to get ahead of the 42:13.532 --> 42:15.532 President's budget in terms of what 42:15.532 --> 42:17.699 types of future funding would be , you 42:17.699 --> 42:20.060 know , would be requested or required . 42:20.070 --> 42:23.560 But with respect to the in response to 42:23.560 --> 42:25.580 this previous question to Senator 42:25.580 --> 42:28.130 Shaheen . Uh yes , it does have 42:28.130 --> 42:31.610 specific uh requirements for promoting 42:31.620 --> 42:33.760 women in the Afghan defence and 42:33.760 --> 42:35.927 security forces . And our intent would 42:35.927 --> 42:38.038 be that that would continue . We also 42:38.038 --> 42:40.410 continue working with our state uh and 42:40.410 --> 42:42.299 U . S . A . I . D . And coalition 42:42.299 --> 42:44.590 partners uh in providing the type of 42:44.590 --> 42:48.300 diplomatic support uh and pressure , uh 42:48.310 --> 42:50.520 pardon me , pressure on on the Taliban 42:50.800 --> 42:53.240 because I think fundamentally the best 42:53.240 --> 42:55.296 way to protect the rights of women , 42:55.296 --> 42:57.462 girls and minorities in Afghanistan is 42:57.462 --> 43:00.790 to realize a negotiated , peaceful A 43:00.790 --> 43:02.680 settlement and outcome to the war 43:02.680 --> 43:04.624 that's been in Afghanistan for the 43:04.624 --> 43:08.560 better part of 40 years . Um I 43:08.560 --> 43:11.010 have some counterterrorism questions 43:11.010 --> 43:14.330 and assessments of Taliban strengths 43:14.330 --> 43:16.840 that I will ask in closed session . But 43:16.840 --> 43:18.896 let me just ask one more question of 43:18.896 --> 43:20.784 General Challenger before my time 43:20.784 --> 43:23.007 expires , what's your assessment of the 43:23.007 --> 43:24.951 security of the U . S . Embassy in 43:24.951 --> 43:27.118 Kabul ? And what is your assessment of 43:27.118 --> 43:28.784 how the security situation in 43:28.784 --> 43:30.784 Afghanistan after the withdrawal of 43:30.784 --> 43:32.673 troops will affect the ability to 43:32.673 --> 43:35.007 conduct diplomatic and other operations ? 43:35.900 --> 43:38.640 I think our diplomatic facilities in 43:38.640 --> 43:42.520 Kabul remains secure um And 43:42.520 --> 43:45.670 and planning is ongoing currently , uh 43:45.680 --> 43:48.190 to ensure that that remains the case as 43:48.190 --> 43:50.079 we continue to conduct our Rachel 43:50.079 --> 43:52.440 retrograde and then any diplomatic 43:52.440 --> 43:55.500 security presence that that remains we 43:55.500 --> 43:57.444 want to ensure has the appropriate 43:57.444 --> 43:59.667 security force to protect our diplomats 43:59.667 --> 44:02.620 and their important mission . And then 44:02.620 --> 44:04.640 can you please , um I know you 44:04.650 --> 44:07.330 requested to answer Senator Shaheen's 44:07.330 --> 44:10.750 question in closed session , but can 44:10.750 --> 44:14.050 you give us um your general assessment 44:14.060 --> 44:16.830 of the likelihood of Afghanistan 44:16.830 --> 44:19.430 falling under Taliban control ? And if 44:19.430 --> 44:21.208 it does not fall completely the 44:21.208 --> 44:23.319 likelihood of central government only 44:23.319 --> 44:25.570 having control of Kabul . And what 44:25.570 --> 44:27.640 effect that will have on the Afghan 44:27.640 --> 44:29.418 people and our ability to fight 44:29.418 --> 44:32.910 terrorism . And perhaps maybe whether a 44:32.920 --> 44:34.753 piece or power sharing agreement 44:34.753 --> 44:36.698 between the Taliban and the Afghan 44:36.698 --> 44:38.753 government , afghan government could 44:38.753 --> 44:41.790 prevent a Taliban takeover . I will 44:41.800 --> 44:44.150 acknowledge the range of potential 44:44.160 --> 44:46.750 outcomes uh in the months as we go 44:46.750 --> 44:50.710 forward . Everything uh from uh Taliban 44:50.710 --> 44:53.280 takeover to A . And E . S . F . B . And 44:53.280 --> 44:55.910 support are being successful in 44:55.910 --> 44:58.240 defending against the Taliban and Gero 44:58.240 --> 45:01.590 uh maintaining its ability to 45:01.600 --> 45:04.140 effectively govern uh and everything in 45:04.140 --> 45:06.350 between . But I will say that the A . 45:06.350 --> 45:09.360 And E . S . F . Is A . They're capable 45:09.360 --> 45:12.360 force . They have capable ground air 45:12.360 --> 45:15.210 and special operations forces And uh 45:15.220 --> 45:17.610 here very recently they've effectively 45:17.620 --> 45:20.150 both defended against taliban attacks 45:20.150 --> 45:22.700 as well as going on the offensive to 45:22.710 --> 45:26.040 disrupt taliban activities . Thank you . 45:26.040 --> 45:28.040 Thank you . Mr Chairman . Thank you 45:28.040 --> 45:29.818 Senator Gillibrand . Now let me 45:29.818 --> 45:31.929 recognize Senator Arch , please thank 45:31.929 --> 45:33.984 you Mr Chair and thank you gentlemen 45:33.984 --> 45:37.370 very much for Being here today . 20 45:37.370 --> 45:39.314 years ago , of course , our nation 45:39.314 --> 45:41.440 service members deployed to deliver 45:41.440 --> 45:43.480 justice to the terrorists who had 45:43.480 --> 45:46.420 carried out the deadly and deliberate 45:46.420 --> 45:48.820 attacks on our homeland . And thousands 45:48.830 --> 45:51.740 of Iowans have proudly served in 45:51.740 --> 45:54.420 Afghanistan , risking life and limb . 45:54.590 --> 45:57.710 And I am hoping that I can assure the 45:57.790 --> 45:59.901 Iowa families and the american people 45:59.901 --> 46:03.730 that the threat to our homeland has 46:03.730 --> 46:06.100 been reduced and we have the measures 46:06.100 --> 46:09.780 in place to keep this threat at bay . 46:09.790 --> 46:12.180 So I know we have talked about our 46:12.180 --> 46:15.620 ability to project over the horizon . I 46:15.620 --> 46:18.270 understand that , but Mr Hell v what is 46:18.270 --> 46:20.214 your assessment of our adversary's 46:20.214 --> 46:23.850 ability to plan for and conduct attacks 46:23.850 --> 46:27.220 on America from bases in Afghanistan 46:27.230 --> 46:29.550 after we have gone . So let's talk 46:29.550 --> 46:31.439 about the reverse . What is their 46:31.439 --> 46:33.494 ability to plan ? Not our ability to 46:33.494 --> 46:35.900 respond . What what is their ability to 46:35.900 --> 46:38.210 plan attacks on us when we have left ? 46:40.880 --> 46:42.860 Their ability today has been 46:42.860 --> 46:45.960 significantly degraded in that 46:45.970 --> 46:49.290 degradation is due in large part to the 46:49.290 --> 46:51.600 presence that we've had in that country 46:52.080 --> 46:54.460 with respect to the specifics . I'd 46:54.460 --> 46:57.190 prefer to to to keep those specifics in 46:57.190 --> 46:59.940 the closed session . But I can say with 46:59.940 --> 47:02.550 confidence that the ability of 47:02.550 --> 47:04.900 international terrorist groups to plan 47:05.280 --> 47:07.530 recruit , train , organize and execute 47:07.530 --> 47:09.697 attacks against the United States from 47:09.697 --> 47:11.641 Afghanistan has been significantly 47:11.641 --> 47:14.630 reduced , significantly reduced because 47:14.640 --> 47:17.190 we are there and we're enabling efforts 47:17.200 --> 47:21.060 on the part of the Afghan National 47:21.060 --> 47:23.670 Defence and Security forces correct our 47:23.670 --> 47:26.110 presence has had a significant impact 47:26.110 --> 47:28.110 on that . I would also add though , 47:28.110 --> 47:30.450 that the nature of the international 47:30.450 --> 47:33.120 terrorist threat Over the past 20 years 47:33.130 --> 47:36.320 has become much more diffuse . So , you 47:36.320 --> 47:38.480 know , as as we know , we've got uh 47:38.490 --> 47:40.546 terrorists , international terrorist 47:40.546 --> 47:42.768 groups operating in the Middle East and 47:42.768 --> 47:44.990 Africa , northern part of Africa . It's 47:44.990 --> 47:47.820 not the nature of the threat has has 47:47.820 --> 47:49.960 changed over the past 20 years , but 47:49.960 --> 47:52.640 the threat emanating from from 47:52.640 --> 47:54.696 Afghanistan to the United States and 47:54.696 --> 47:56.584 our allies has been significantly 47:56.584 --> 47:59.930 degraded . And please don't mistake me . 47:59.930 --> 48:02.440 I do believe that at some point we have 48:02.440 --> 48:04.107 to bring this war to an end . 48:04.470 --> 48:06.359 Absolutely , we have to do that . 48:06.359 --> 48:09.770 However , not leaving a remnant 48:09.770 --> 48:12.270 or a small number of troops within 48:12.270 --> 48:15.140 Afghanistan intelligence officials in 48:15.140 --> 48:17.670 Afghanistan , we are leaving a void and 48:17.670 --> 48:19.850 I do worry that while the threat has 48:19.850 --> 48:21.690 been diminished that it will 48:21.690 --> 48:25.510 reconstitute in Afghanistan . Um So 48:25.520 --> 48:28.900 just worries there and I hope that 48:29.270 --> 48:31.610 everything goes smoothly and that the 48:31.610 --> 48:35.470 impacts to stability are minimal . 48:35.480 --> 48:39.320 Um I do also share the concerns raised 48:39.320 --> 48:41.680 by Senator Shaheen and by Senator 48:41.680 --> 48:44.290 Gillibrand and Senator Gillibrand and I 48:44.670 --> 48:48.280 went to Afghanistan pre pre pandemic 48:48.290 --> 48:50.401 and we were able to visit a number of 48:50.401 --> 48:53.020 training facilities where Afghan women 48:53.020 --> 48:55.800 were being trained in various secretary 48:55.800 --> 48:58.060 and clerical positions , but also as 48:58.060 --> 49:01.900 women warriors . And I am very , very 49:01.900 --> 49:03.900 concerned about what will happen to 49:03.900 --> 49:06.011 them . What will happen to girls that 49:06.011 --> 49:07.844 have attended school and are now 49:07.844 --> 49:10.011 working in businesses . So I just want 49:10.011 --> 49:12.178 to reemphasize that um Senator Shaheen 49:12.178 --> 49:15.060 is leading a letter . I am a co lead to 49:15.060 --> 49:18.590 our president asking for those special 49:18.590 --> 49:20.757 immigrant visas . It is something that 49:20.757 --> 49:23.430 we are very concerned about . Um Just 49:23.430 --> 49:25.880 in the news this morning coming from 49:25.880 --> 49:28.250 Iowa , we have an Afghan interpreter in 49:28.250 --> 49:31.310 Iowa Falls and his asylum request has 49:31.310 --> 49:33.360 been denied . You just received the 49:33.360 --> 49:36.120 letter the other day . So if you can 49:36.120 --> 49:38.950 also work with the State Department and 49:38.960 --> 49:41.850 just stress to them as we are stressing 49:41.850 --> 49:44.690 to them how important it is that as we 49:44.690 --> 49:46.690 are withdrawing , we're also making 49:46.690 --> 49:48.801 sure that we are protecting those who 49:48.801 --> 49:51.850 have enabled our forces in Afghanistan . 49:51.860 --> 49:53.940 It is extremely important . It's not 49:53.940 --> 49:56.040 just the men that have served as 49:56.040 --> 49:58.360 interpreters , but it will also be the 49:58.360 --> 50:00.582 women and girls that have stepped up to 50:00.582 --> 50:04.050 assist us as well . Um so I am running 50:04.050 --> 50:06.350 out of time . I know this is a very 50:06.350 --> 50:08.406 important hearing . You can hear the 50:08.406 --> 50:10.640 level of frustration in all of our 50:10.640 --> 50:13.260 voices as we're going through this . Um 50:13.260 --> 50:16.240 I do believe that again that we need to 50:16.240 --> 50:18.351 withdraw our forces . I think that is 50:18.351 --> 50:20.351 important but we need to do it in a 50:20.351 --> 50:23.120 smart and meaningful way . And I 50:23.120 --> 50:25.650 sincerely hope that this is the right 50:25.650 --> 50:28.300 plan because if not we will see a 50:28.300 --> 50:30.710 significant threat increase to our 50:30.710 --> 50:33.200 homeland , to our allies but most 50:33.200 --> 50:35.200 certainly to the people that we are 50:35.200 --> 50:37.533 leaving behind . Thank you . Mr . Chair . 50:37.533 --> 50:39.644 Thank you Senator Orange . Now let me 50:39.644 --> 50:41.811 recognize Senator Kaine . Please thank 50:41.811 --> 50:43.811 you Mr . Chair and thank uh ranking 50:43.811 --> 50:45.900 member and thank our public servants 50:45.900 --> 50:49.410 for their testimony . Um Every concern 50:49.410 --> 50:51.632 expressed by everyone on this committee 50:51.632 --> 50:53.688 on this issue is very legitimate . I 50:53.688 --> 50:56.390 don't think there's just a a completely 50:56.390 --> 50:58.446 clear answer but I just want to stay 50:58.660 --> 51:00.882 quickly as I have before that I support 51:00.882 --> 51:03.104 President biden's decision with respect 51:03.104 --> 51:05.327 to the removal of US . troops . We have 51:05.327 --> 51:07.493 been in Afghanistan , it's the longest 51:07.493 --> 51:09.860 war in American history . 20 years come 51:09.870 --> 51:12.900 this September it took us 10 years to 51:12.900 --> 51:16.290 find and kill Osama bin laden the 51:16.290 --> 51:18.560 perpetrator and mastermind of the 9 11 51:18.560 --> 51:20.616 attack . And then for 10 years we've 51:20.616 --> 51:22.838 done our best to build up and train and 51:22.838 --> 51:24.890 afghan security apparatus that was 51:24.890 --> 51:27.440 essentially non existent . When we 51:27.440 --> 51:30.940 began the war in 2001 , the civil war 51:30.950 --> 51:33.117 in Afghanistan had degraded the Afghan 51:33.117 --> 51:35.610 military and national security forces 51:35.610 --> 51:37.610 and police to such a degree that we 51:37.610 --> 51:39.777 pretty much have to start from scratch 51:40.260 --> 51:43.320 20 years in . I think I'm right , 51:43.330 --> 51:45.340 although I will certainly accept 51:45.340 --> 51:47.750 correction from the experts . The 51:47.750 --> 51:50.850 Afghan army is now about 180,000 . As 51:50.850 --> 51:54.290 by my sort of quick Analysis . The 51:54.290 --> 51:56.670 Afghan Air Force is 7000 with hundreds 51:56.670 --> 51:59.130 of aircraft . The Afghan National 51:59.130 --> 52:02.560 Police is 116,000 . Um 52:02.570 --> 52:05.220 All of these security components have 52:05.220 --> 52:08.850 been funded built carefully , 52:08.850 --> 52:10.740 carefully trained over these two 52:10.740 --> 52:12.740 decades by the United States and by 52:12.740 --> 52:16.070 other allies . The Taliban is estimated 52:16.070 --> 52:20.070 to be at about 55,000 to 85,000 And 52:20.070 --> 52:22.390 so the combined Afghan national 52:22.390 --> 52:24.501 security apparatus . If I'm correct . 52:24.501 --> 52:26.334 And this is over 300,000 and the 52:26.334 --> 52:30.200 Taliban a formidable Fighting Forces 52:30.200 --> 52:32.850 55,085,000 . The commitment of these 52:32.850 --> 52:34.794 witnesses and I hope congress will 52:34.794 --> 52:36.794 continue to meet this commitment is 52:36.794 --> 52:39.017 that the United States will continue to 52:39.017 --> 52:41.183 provide massive support to our partner 52:41.183 --> 52:43.860 and ally Afghanistan military support , 52:43.860 --> 52:46.200 including the payment of salaries of 52:46.200 --> 52:48.300 Afghan security forces , diplomatic 52:48.300 --> 52:50.480 support , humanitarian support , 52:51.050 --> 52:54.020 economic support . But we will remove 52:54.020 --> 52:57.630 3500 us troops When President Biden 52:57.630 --> 52:59.797 made his announcement in April at that 52:59.797 --> 53:01.741 point , the official count of US . 53:01.741 --> 53:04.660 troops in Afghanistan was 2500 . There 53:04.660 --> 53:06.716 were other reporting suggesting that 53:07.050 --> 53:09.430 possibly involved in special operations 53:09.430 --> 53:11.910 or additional missions . The total 53:11.910 --> 53:15.820 might have been 3500 Is 3500 us 53:15.820 --> 53:18.830 troops . The difference between success 53:18.840 --> 53:21.250 and failure in Afghanistan after 20 53:21.250 --> 53:24.780 years , I don't believe that it is . I 53:24.780 --> 53:27.530 don't believe the 3500 us troops 53:27.530 --> 53:29.641 because no one in this committee , as 53:29.641 --> 53:31.570 far as I'm aware is proposing to 53:31.580 --> 53:33.760 increase the number of us troops . I 53:33.760 --> 53:36.330 don't believe 3500 us troops after 20 53:36.330 --> 53:38.500 years is the difference between a 53:38.500 --> 53:41.130 success or failure in Afghanistan when 53:41.130 --> 53:43.130 there's an Afghan national security 53:43.130 --> 53:45.390 apparatus of more than 300,000 matched 53:45.390 --> 53:48.480 up against the Taliban of 55,085,000 . 53:49.050 --> 53:52.480 What is the ingredient that will 53:52.480 --> 53:55.560 determine the success or failure in 53:55.560 --> 53:57.616 Afghanistan going forward ? It's the 53:57.616 --> 53:59.850 Afghan people , the Afghan people who 53:59.850 --> 54:02.072 have experienced a significant increase 54:02.072 --> 54:03.739 in life expectancy , who have 54:03.739 --> 54:05.850 experienced a significant increase in 54:05.850 --> 54:07.572 the education of their young , 54:07.572 --> 54:09.850 including the education of young women , 54:09.850 --> 54:12.072 a dramatic improvement in public health 54:12.072 --> 54:15.260 infrastructure in other elements of 54:15.270 --> 54:17.920 civil government . The Afghan people 54:17.920 --> 54:21.120 will have to decide , is it worth 54:21.120 --> 54:24.180 fighting for and it can't be worth more 54:24.180 --> 54:26.530 to us than it is to them . And that's 54:26.530 --> 54:28.641 kind of a painful thing to say . It's 54:28.641 --> 54:31.330 kind of a cold , tough thing to say . 54:31.330 --> 54:33.441 But success in Afghanistan can't mean 54:33.441 --> 54:35.663 more to the United States than it means 54:35.663 --> 54:37.830 to the afghans . And at the end of the 54:37.830 --> 54:39.941 day , I believe it won't mean more to 54:39.941 --> 54:41.941 us than the Afghans . I believe the 54:41.941 --> 54:43.941 Afghans having seen the benefits of 54:43.941 --> 54:46.219 improved quality of life over 20 years , 54:46.219 --> 54:48.219 we'll decide that they want to keep 54:48.219 --> 54:50.274 that rather than to go backwards and 54:50.274 --> 54:52.330 experience what they were during the 54:52.330 --> 54:54.441 time when the Taliban and others were 54:54.441 --> 54:54.390 engaged in a massive civil war of the 54:54.390 --> 54:57.140 country . But if the Afghans choose at 54:57.140 --> 54:59.307 the end of the day , that that doesn't 54:59.307 --> 55:01.640 matter to them . There's no amount of U . 55:01.640 --> 55:03.970 S . Troops , none , there's no amount 55:03.970 --> 55:05.970 of U . S . Troops that would make a 55:05.970 --> 55:08.081 difference . And so I think this is a 55:08.081 --> 55:10.720 painful decision and the comments of my 55:10.720 --> 55:12.831 colleagues who feel differently about 55:12.831 --> 55:14.998 it , I completely get every legitimate 55:14.998 --> 55:16.887 concern they have and it's a very 55:16.887 --> 55:19.120 legitimate concern . But we cannot want 55:19.130 --> 55:21.186 success in Afghanistan more than the 55:21.186 --> 55:23.400 Afghans do . And having built up a 55:23.400 --> 55:25.800 security apparatus with a continued 55:25.800 --> 55:27.856 commitment to funding that apparatus 55:27.856 --> 55:30.022 and being a supporter of our colleague 55:30.022 --> 55:32.189 of our allied nation going forward , I 55:32.189 --> 55:34.244 think that is the right role for the 55:34.244 --> 55:36.356 United States to play right now . And 55:36.356 --> 55:38.411 that's why I support President Biden 55:38.411 --> 55:38.180 and his decision And I thank the 55:38.180 --> 55:40.470 witnesses for appearing today . Thank 55:40.470 --> 55:42.637 you . Senator Kaine . Let me recognize 55:42.637 --> 55:46.390 now . Senator Cramer , thank you . Mr 55:46.390 --> 55:48.500 Chairman , Thanks to both of you for 55:48.500 --> 55:51.970 being here . Question came up , Mhm . 55:52.340 --> 55:54.451 Based on some of the things I heard , 55:54.451 --> 55:56.730 um have we committed to completely 55:56.730 --> 55:58.786 supporting the current government in 55:58.786 --> 56:00.897 Afghanistan ? Should it fall into all 56:00.897 --> 56:04.050 out civil war ? And if so , what would 56:04.050 --> 56:05.494 that commitment include ? 56:08.530 --> 56:10.752 Uh Senator , Thanks for that question . 56:10.752 --> 56:12.840 We we have committed to continue 56:12.840 --> 56:15.340 supporting the the Afghan , the Afghan 56:15.340 --> 56:17.173 government . We have a bilateral 56:17.173 --> 56:19.118 security agreement with the Afghan 56:19.118 --> 56:21.173 government , in which we indicate we 56:21.173 --> 56:23.620 will continue to seek funding uh to 56:23.620 --> 56:25.787 provide support to them to support the 56:25.787 --> 56:27.898 A and E S . F . Uh you know , through 56:27.898 --> 56:30.064 the mechanisms that we've specified in 56:30.064 --> 56:31.898 terms of training , advising and 56:31.898 --> 56:33.676 assisting salaries , you know , 56:33.676 --> 56:35.898 contractor logistics and assists and an 56:35.898 --> 56:37.898 assistant . So we have committed to 56:37.898 --> 56:40.520 supporting our Afghan partners and 56:40.520 --> 56:43.410 through this negotiation period through 56:43.410 --> 56:45.466 the implementation of the US Taliban 56:45.466 --> 56:47.132 agreement , we have continued 56:47.132 --> 56:49.299 supporting our our our Afghan partners 56:49.299 --> 56:51.740 as they've been fighting . The taliban . 56:54.130 --> 56:56.470 Obviously cost benefit analysis would 56:56.470 --> 56:58.526 include include your risk analysis , 56:58.526 --> 57:01.830 analysis would include the cost of 57:02.020 --> 57:04.340 preventing an all out civil war versus 57:04.730 --> 57:07.060 entering , having to come back and try 57:07.060 --> 57:10.470 to clean it up . And I I can associate 57:10.470 --> 57:12.581 myself with every comment that's been 57:12.581 --> 57:14.692 made by my colleagues , even the ones 57:14.692 --> 57:16.859 that conflict , that's how conflicting 57:16.859 --> 57:16.680 this is . I think for a lot of us as it 57:16.680 --> 57:20.640 is , no doubt for for you all . Um I 57:20.640 --> 57:22.751 think it was an early might have been 57:22.751 --> 57:24.696 in response to a question from the 57:24.696 --> 57:26.918 chairman , but I'm gonna maybe get more 57:26.918 --> 57:28.918 specific . Uh I think you mentioned 57:28.918 --> 57:30.473 something about I . S . R . 57:30.473 --> 57:33.210 Capabilities and whatnot . What type of 57:33.220 --> 57:36.550 unmanned or space born capabilities do 57:36.550 --> 57:38.661 we need to maintain or even enhance ? 57:38.661 --> 57:41.430 To minimize the possibility of global 57:41.430 --> 57:44.190 terror threats ? Do you have a sense of 57:44.190 --> 57:47.850 that ? With with respect to uh 57:48.430 --> 57:50.486 you know , Afghanistan ? I think the 57:50.486 --> 57:52.708 best way to characterize how we need to 57:52.708 --> 57:56.410 look at it is based on three concentric 57:56.410 --> 57:59.980 circles . There's the type of uh 57:59.990 --> 58:03.930 yeah um footprint or apparatus 58:03.930 --> 58:06.520 that we would do in within Afghanistan 58:06.520 --> 58:10.360 is based largely on our relationships 58:10.360 --> 58:14.060 with local partners uh and DSF and the 58:14.060 --> 58:15.838 Afghan government to be able to 58:15.838 --> 58:17.893 understand what's going on within uh 58:17.893 --> 58:20.130 within Afghanistan , then there's a 58:20.130 --> 58:22.019 regional component to it which is 58:22.019 --> 58:24.130 outside which , you know , the things 58:24.130 --> 58:26.130 that we can't have in Afghanistan , 58:26.130 --> 58:28.297 we'd want to be able to maintain to be 58:28.297 --> 58:30.241 able to provide the type of access 58:30.241 --> 58:32.408 basing and overflight that would allow 58:32.408 --> 58:35.340 us to have a type of presence . Um then 58:35.340 --> 58:37.229 there's kind of like this broader 58:37.229 --> 58:39.850 global global framework where it 58:39.850 --> 58:41.920 includes not only national technical 58:41.920 --> 58:44.020 means , but also the types of 58:44.020 --> 58:46.131 capabilities that may not be resident 58:46.131 --> 58:48.242 within the region , but that we could 58:48.242 --> 58:50.298 flow into the region on an as needed 58:50.298 --> 58:52.520 basis . And I would also note that over 58:52.520 --> 58:54.576 the past 20 years we've had a lot of 58:54.576 --> 58:56.409 different changes in how we as a 58:56.409 --> 58:58.409 government that indeed as a society 58:58.620 --> 59:01.000 have been combating international 59:01.000 --> 59:03.222 terrorist organizations . You can't get 59:03.222 --> 59:05.430 on a commercial aircraft or or or open 59:05.430 --> 59:06.930 a new bank account without 59:06.930 --> 59:08.986 understanding how we have changed in 59:08.986 --> 59:11.152 ways that help us to better understand 59:11.152 --> 59:13.263 and illuminate the types of terrorist 59:13.263 --> 59:15.430 threats that would seek to do us to do 59:15.430 --> 59:17.652 us and our allies harm . So I think all 59:17.652 --> 59:19.763 of these things have to be working in 59:19.763 --> 59:21.986 concert in order to be able to maintain 59:21.986 --> 59:25.370 the type of broader threat picture . If 59:25.370 --> 59:27.390 you will , the types of terrorist 59:27.390 --> 59:29.223 threats that we may need to face 59:29.720 --> 59:31.776 general . Maybe you could answer the 59:31.776 --> 59:35.120 same question in more specificity as it 59:35.120 --> 59:38.030 relates to afghan or the region , um , 59:38.420 --> 59:40.470 regarding assets , whether they be 59:40.470 --> 59:42.870 unmanned or space , is there more we 59:42.870 --> 59:45.690 can be doing to shore up this , this 59:45.690 --> 59:49.200 new , this new way of providing some 59:49.200 --> 59:52.280 security ? Well , Senator , I think 59:52.280 --> 59:54.410 certainly the capability that we 59:54.410 --> 59:58.030 currently have and and use 59:58.420 --> 01:00:01.130 to achieve our objectives , we want to 01:00:01.130 --> 01:00:04.960 continue to uh huh uh , to utilize 01:00:04.960 --> 01:00:06.960 and make the technological advances 01:00:06.960 --> 01:00:09.740 that we're able to to uh to better 01:00:09.740 --> 01:00:12.073 enable us . But in terms of specificity , 01:00:12.073 --> 01:00:14.680 I can't offer you that right now . Very 01:00:14.680 --> 01:00:16.847 good . Thank you both . Thank you . Mr 01:00:16.847 --> 01:00:19.069 Chairman . Thank you . Senator Corman , 01:00:19.069 --> 01:00:20.902 now via webex , let me recognize 01:00:20.902 --> 01:00:24.590 Senator Manchin . Thank you . Thank you . 01:00:24.590 --> 01:00:27.350 Mr Chairman . Um I want to thank all of 01:00:27.350 --> 01:00:29.572 you for your service and for being here 01:00:29.572 --> 01:00:32.230 today . And I want to pre congratulate 01:00:32.240 --> 01:00:34.407 Senator . We're going to have to raise 01:00:34.407 --> 01:00:36.518 your volume . So if we withhold for a 01:00:36.518 --> 01:00:38.030 minute . Okay . 01:00:41.210 --> 01:00:44.850 Yeah , can you hear me now ? MR will be 01:00:44.850 --> 01:00:48.040 better . Okay , I'll talk louder . Yeah . 01:00:48.050 --> 01:00:51.110 Better . Okay . I want to say I want to 01:00:51.110 --> 01:00:53.110 thank everybody for their for their 01:00:53.110 --> 01:00:55.520 service . I want to pre congratulate uh 01:00:55.530 --> 01:00:57.419 rita General Challenger for his . 01:00:57.419 --> 01:01:01.000 Hopefully it is advancement , very 01:01:01.000 --> 01:01:03.070 proud of that . First , let me say I 01:01:03.070 --> 01:01:05.014 completely support the Afghanistan 01:01:05.014 --> 01:01:07.014 withdrawal and we have to shift our 01:01:07.014 --> 01:01:09.126 focus to other priority threats , the 01:01:09.126 --> 01:01:11.181 future of Afghanistan and the global 01:01:11.181 --> 01:01:13.237 impacts rest on where the government 01:01:13.237 --> 01:01:15.348 can prevail by securing Their country 01:01:15.348 --> 01:01:17.459 and upholding their 2004 Constitution 01:01:17.459 --> 01:01:21.150 between 2 9 and 2020 . We increased And 01:01:21.150 --> 01:01:23.317 decreased troop strength at least five 01:01:23.317 --> 01:01:26.350 times these shifts in end strength 01:01:26.350 --> 01:01:29.910 range from a few 100 As much as 23,000 01:01:29.910 --> 01:01:31.620 personnel . Additionally , we 01:01:31.620 --> 01:01:33.490 experienced major diplomatic and 01:01:33.490 --> 01:01:36.390 operational delays in 2012 With insider 01:01:36.390 --> 01:01:38.890 attacks and in 2013 with President 01:01:38.890 --> 01:01:41.001 Karzai temporarily suspended security 01:01:41.001 --> 01:01:43.690 talks with the US . More recently , the 01:01:43.690 --> 01:01:45.840 Taliban continues to refuse to 01:01:45.840 --> 01:01:48.670 negotiate negotiate efforts until all 01:01:48.670 --> 01:01:51.240 foreign forces are out of Afghanistan . 01:01:51.610 --> 01:01:53.832 So one question I would have to General 01:01:53.832 --> 01:01:56.310 Challenger . How we are withdrawal from 01:01:56.310 --> 01:01:59.630 Afghanistan ? Impact other combatant 01:01:59.640 --> 01:02:00.320 commands . 01:02:04.300 --> 01:02:06.600 Mhm . Senator , if I understand your 01:02:06.600 --> 01:02:09.010 question correctly , as we withdraw 01:02:09.010 --> 01:02:11.800 from Afghanistan , how will that impact 01:02:11.810 --> 01:02:14.190 other combatant commands ? And the only 01:02:14.190 --> 01:02:17.350 thing I can offer is that it is not in 01:02:17.350 --> 01:02:19.920 any way adversely impacting others . 01:02:23.100 --> 01:02:25.156 Thank you . Mr . Healthy . One of my 01:02:25.156 --> 01:02:26.933 fears about our withdrawal from 01:02:26.933 --> 01:02:29.044 Afghanistan as it will become a power 01:02:29.044 --> 01:02:31.267 vacuum in which terrorist organizations 01:02:31.267 --> 01:02:33.322 can recruit , train and operate from 01:02:33.322 --> 01:02:35.433 with nearly no assets on the ground . 01:02:35.433 --> 01:02:37.656 We're going to have to rely on regional 01:02:37.656 --> 01:02:39.822 partners to work with us to stay ahead 01:02:39.822 --> 01:02:42.100 and on top of counterterrorism efforts . 01:02:42.100 --> 01:02:43.989 Are you confident in our regional 01:02:43.989 --> 01:02:45.767 partners and their capacity and 01:02:45.767 --> 01:02:47.933 commitment to driving terrorism out of 01:02:47.933 --> 01:02:50.440 the region ? Thank you , senator . We 01:02:50.440 --> 01:02:52.496 will have to work with our our local 01:02:52.496 --> 01:02:54.551 and regional partners and we want to 01:02:54.551 --> 01:02:56.718 continue developing those capabilities 01:02:56.718 --> 01:02:58.980 and those partnerships to be able to 01:02:58.980 --> 01:03:01.202 ensure that we've got the right type of 01:03:01.202 --> 01:03:02.980 confidence in the right type of 01:03:02.980 --> 01:03:05.091 framework to address our CT threats . 01:03:05.091 --> 01:03:07.202 That's one of the things that we as a 01:03:07.202 --> 01:03:08.924 department in concert with our 01:03:08.924 --> 01:03:11.036 interagency uh , colleagues are doing 01:03:11.036 --> 01:03:13.091 today is to make sure that we've got 01:03:13.091 --> 01:03:14.924 the right type of arrangements , 01:03:14.924 --> 01:03:17.450 relationships and framework so that we 01:03:17.450 --> 01:03:19.672 can ensure that Afghanistan never again 01:03:19.672 --> 01:03:21.728 becomes a safe haven for terrorism . 01:03:21.728 --> 01:03:23.783 Could you outline your assessment of 01:03:23.783 --> 01:03:26.006 Pakistan and specifically the Pakistani 01:03:26.006 --> 01:03:28.172 intelligence service dc , and the role 01:03:28.172 --> 01:03:30.394 you expect them to play in our future . 01:03:31.200 --> 01:03:33.680 Pakistan has played an important role 01:03:33.680 --> 01:03:35.870 in Afghanistan and they have supported 01:03:35.870 --> 01:03:38.970 the Afghan peace process . Pakistan , 01:03:38.970 --> 01:03:42.850 as you know , also has allowed us to 01:03:42.850 --> 01:03:45.580 have overflight uh and access to be 01:03:45.580 --> 01:03:47.910 able to support our military presence 01:03:47.920 --> 01:03:50.800 uh in Afghanistan . We will continue 01:03:50.800 --> 01:03:53.780 our conversations with Pakistan because 01:03:53.780 --> 01:03:55.891 they're supporting their contribution 01:03:55.891 --> 01:03:58.680 uh to the future of Afghanistan . The 01:03:58.680 --> 01:04:00.902 future peace in Afghanistan is going to 01:04:00.902 --> 01:04:02.960 be critical . Thank you , General 01:04:02.960 --> 01:04:05.127 Challenger . The amount of assets that 01:04:05.127 --> 01:04:07.293 we have accumulated in Afghanistan has 01:04:07.293 --> 01:04:08.849 to be significant special . 01:04:08.849 --> 01:04:10.849 Specifically , we have provided the 01:04:10.849 --> 01:04:12.516 Afghan forces with Black Hawk 01:04:12.516 --> 01:04:15.860 helicopters , 8 29 super tucano planes , 01:04:15.870 --> 01:04:17.790 armored vehicles , mine rollers , 01:04:17.790 --> 01:04:20.380 command and control capacity and large 01:04:20.380 --> 01:04:22.450 generators . What assets are you 01:04:22.450 --> 01:04:24.710 planning to leave behind for the Afghan 01:04:24.710 --> 01:04:26.900 forces ? What assets will be withdrawn 01:04:26.900 --> 01:04:28.900 and what assets will be destroyed ? 01:04:30.390 --> 01:04:33.450 Senator , As we conduct the retrograde ? 01:04:33.450 --> 01:04:36.630 We will be uh transferring 01:04:36.640 --> 01:04:40.410 facilities , some vehicles , 01:04:40.790 --> 01:04:42.760 um , and other equipment that the 01:04:42.760 --> 01:04:44.900 Afghan National Defence forces can 01:04:44.900 --> 01:04:47.370 utilize in their ongoing efforts to 01:04:47.370 --> 01:04:49.426 secure the country . Uh , we will be 01:04:49.426 --> 01:04:52.110 retro rating that equipment that we're 01:04:52.120 --> 01:04:55.990 able to bring back uh , to bases 01:04:55.990 --> 01:04:58.101 and stations , uh , an account of the 01:04:58.101 --> 01:05:00.800 United States as well as elsewhere . Um , 01:05:00.990 --> 01:05:03.510 and then we'll be disposing of 01:05:03.690 --> 01:05:07.140 equipment that essentially is either 01:05:07.140 --> 01:05:10.620 obsolete , um , is inoperable 01:05:10.630 --> 01:05:13.990 or uh , legally , we're not able to 01:05:13.990 --> 01:05:16.590 transfer to Afghanistan . What I always 01:05:16.590 --> 01:05:18.646 say is for those for the assets that 01:05:18.646 --> 01:05:21.700 you're going to leave with uh , with 01:05:21.700 --> 01:05:25.440 the afghan people . What guarantees do 01:05:25.440 --> 01:05:27.607 the american people have , the taliban 01:05:27.607 --> 01:05:29.607 won't get their hands on and use it 01:05:29.607 --> 01:05:33.320 against them ? Senator , I don't I 01:05:33.330 --> 01:05:35.870 think there are any guarantees . Again , 01:05:35.880 --> 01:05:38.270 I would acknowledge the range of 01:05:38.270 --> 01:05:40.630 possible outcomes over the coming 01:05:40.630 --> 01:05:44.070 months um , uh , from the dire uh , 01:05:44.080 --> 01:05:47.200 certainly to the to the positive . So I 01:05:47.210 --> 01:05:49.432 couldn't offer any guarantees on that . 01:05:50.690 --> 01:05:52.746 Thank you very much . Thank you . Mr 01:05:52.746 --> 01:05:54.579 Chairman . Thank you very much . 01:05:54.579 --> 01:05:56.746 Senator Manchin . Now let me recognize 01:05:56.746 --> 01:05:59.023 Senator Blackburn , please . Thank you . 01:05:59.023 --> 01:06:01.134 Mr Chairman Secretary , healthy . Yes 01:06:01.134 --> 01:06:04.080 or no . Do you expect the taliban will 01:06:04.080 --> 01:06:06.200 take over Afghanistan when we leave ? 01:06:09.680 --> 01:06:12.410 Sorry , Sarah . Yes or no . 01:06:15.280 --> 01:06:17.550 I do not expect the taliban to take 01:06:17.550 --> 01:06:19.950 over Afghanistan after we leave . So 01:06:19.950 --> 01:06:22.450 then what does the ISIS annual threat 01:06:22.460 --> 01:06:25.490 assessment say the taliban is likely to 01:06:25.490 --> 01:06:27.740 make gains on the battlefield and the 01:06:27.740 --> 01:06:30.360 Afghan government will struggle to hold 01:06:30.370 --> 01:06:32.800 the taliban at bay If the coalition 01:06:32.800 --> 01:06:35.620 withdraw support , Sarah , I don't 01:06:35.620 --> 01:06:38.730 believe there is any inconsistency . I 01:06:38.740 --> 01:06:40.962 would say there's an inconsistency . Oh 01:06:40.962 --> 01:06:43.910 yes or no . Now have we seen a steady 01:06:43.910 --> 01:06:46.310 stream and violence out of the taliban 01:06:46.310 --> 01:06:49.630 over the last year ? Yes . Sen . Yes it 01:06:49.630 --> 01:06:53.500 has risen 169% . They're 01:06:53.500 --> 01:06:55.722 getting really aggressive . Yes or no . 01:06:55.722 --> 01:06:57.620 Have the Taliban previously 01:06:57.620 --> 01:06:59.870 demonstrated a propensity for human 01:06:59.870 --> 01:07:02.450 rights abuses ? Cultural Genocide . 01:07:02.460 --> 01:07:05.260 Ethnic cleansing efforts historically ? 01:07:05.260 --> 01:07:07.780 Yes . Yes they have and we have 01:07:07.790 --> 01:07:10.770 thousands of undocumented cases and we 01:07:10.770 --> 01:07:12.770 know that the U . S . Still needs a 01:07:12.770 --> 01:07:15.660 presence in Afghanistan stand to resist 01:07:15.670 --> 01:07:19.350 Iran's malign interest and their plots . 01:07:19.350 --> 01:07:21.820 And if we fail to recognize the 01:07:21.820 --> 01:07:24.710 opportunity Afghanistan presents to 01:07:24.710 --> 01:07:27.350 what the India's sites as rogue regimes 01:07:27.480 --> 01:07:30.140 and revision powers . We're kidding 01:07:30.140 --> 01:07:32.700 ourselves . General troll injure . Yes 01:07:32.700 --> 01:07:35.033 or no for you . Do you agree with the I . 01:07:35.033 --> 01:07:37.300 C . S . Annual threat assessment that 01:07:37.310 --> 01:07:39.750 and I'm quoting Iran will hedge its 01:07:39.750 --> 01:07:41.670 bets in Afghanistan , threatening 01:07:41.670 --> 01:07:44.230 stability . Is worried about a long 01:07:44.230 --> 01:07:46.500 term U . S . Presence in Afghanistan 01:07:46.500 --> 01:07:49.130 and as a result this building ties with 01:07:49.140 --> 01:07:51.196 both the government in Kabul and the 01:07:51.196 --> 01:07:53.640 Taliban . So it can take advantage of 01:07:53.650 --> 01:07:56.090 any political outcome . Yes or no . You 01:07:56.090 --> 01:07:59.600 agree ? I would agree . 01:08:00.170 --> 01:08:02.590 Okay thank you . And to you again 01:08:02.590 --> 01:08:04.670 general troll injure yes or no has a 01:08:04.670 --> 01:08:07.030 run provided support to the Taliban at 01:08:07.040 --> 01:08:09.740 this point in time . Not to my 01:08:09.740 --> 01:08:11.740 knowledge . Not to your knowledge . 01:08:11.740 --> 01:08:14.910 Okay . Uh as a Middle East subject 01:08:14.910 --> 01:08:17.270 matter expert on the joint staff , do 01:08:17.270 --> 01:08:19.760 you assess that Iran is intent on 01:08:19.760 --> 01:08:23.030 taking advantage of a US withdrawal in 01:08:23.030 --> 01:08:25.141 Afghanistan ? And what does that look 01:08:25.141 --> 01:08:25.100 like ? 01:08:29.370 --> 01:08:31.490 I would assess that they would be 01:08:31.490 --> 01:08:33.800 opportunist and looking for every 01:08:33.800 --> 01:08:36.710 opportunity to gain a an advantage , a 01:08:36.710 --> 01:08:38.932 decisive advantage , a slight advantage 01:08:38.932 --> 01:08:42.250 of any opportunity they might perceive 01:08:42.250 --> 01:08:44.250 that they have . They would look to 01:08:44.250 --> 01:08:46.472 take advantage of that . Do you believe 01:08:46.472 --> 01:08:48.639 that Iran is prepared both politically 01:08:48.639 --> 01:08:51.680 and militarily to compete on two fronts ? 01:08:54.670 --> 01:08:57.400 I can't answer that question . Okay , 01:08:57.630 --> 01:08:59.963 could you answer that in closed session ? 01:09:00.670 --> 01:09:02.670 I could talk to you more about that 01:09:02.670 --> 01:09:04.670 includes such excellent thank you . 01:09:04.670 --> 01:09:06.650 Within 48 hours of the announced 01:09:06.650 --> 01:09:08.872 Afghanistan withdrawal , the Washington 01:09:08.872 --> 01:09:11.550 Post wrote , and I'm quoting Beijing , 01:09:11.550 --> 01:09:13.661 should use its leverage with Pakistan 01:09:13.661 --> 01:09:15.439 to keep the Taliban true to the 01:09:15.439 --> 01:09:18.420 February 2020 agreement and encouraging 01:09:18.420 --> 01:09:21.210 a ceasefire among fighting parties in 01:09:21.210 --> 01:09:23.900 Afghanistan . China has some incentive 01:09:23.900 --> 01:09:26.330 to do this lest Afghanistan become a 01:09:26.330 --> 01:09:29.190 source of instability , particularly 01:09:29.190 --> 01:09:31.930 with in Xinjiang . So secretary healthy . 01:09:31.930 --> 01:09:35.570 Do uss china Iran are both will inject 01:09:35.570 --> 01:09:38.460 themselves into the affairs of a post 01:09:38.470 --> 01:09:42.210 US occupied Afghanistan . And what form 01:09:42.210 --> 01:09:43.599 do you see that taking ? 01:09:46.270 --> 01:09:50.220 Uh Senator ? I do agree that I think 01:09:50.230 --> 01:09:52.580 china will become more involved . They 01:09:52.580 --> 01:09:54.636 are involved in Afghanistan . Do you 01:09:54.636 --> 01:09:56.930 think Beijing looks at Afghanistan as 01:09:56.930 --> 01:10:00.620 an investment opportunity ? Yes , 01:10:00.620 --> 01:10:02.842 Senator . They're they're looking at it 01:10:02.842 --> 01:10:04.953 primarily for economic purposes . But 01:10:04.953 --> 01:10:06.787 also they do have concerns about 01:10:06.787 --> 01:10:09.120 counter terrorism and extremist threats , 01:10:09.120 --> 01:10:11.120 rare earth minerals . Uh that would 01:10:11.120 --> 01:10:13.064 that would fall within an economic 01:10:13.064 --> 01:10:15.231 opportunity yesterday . Thank you . Uh 01:10:15.231 --> 01:10:17.231 knowing what you know about China's 01:10:17.231 --> 01:10:19.342 belt and road initiative specifically 01:10:19.342 --> 01:10:21.480 there overland routes . Are they 01:10:21.480 --> 01:10:23.890 predicated on the access to Central 01:10:23.890 --> 01:10:27.870 Asia ? A significant part of one belt . 01:10:27.870 --> 01:10:29.981 One road does transit through Central 01:10:29.981 --> 01:10:32.640 Asia and Pakistan . From an exclusively 01:10:32.640 --> 01:10:35.510 geographic standpoint , if china had 01:10:35.520 --> 01:10:38.010 unfettered access to Afghanistan , 01:10:38.010 --> 01:10:40.121 knowing that they share that border , 01:10:40.160 --> 01:10:42.460 would there be anything standing 01:10:42.460 --> 01:10:45.550 between them and their land based br I 01:10:45.560 --> 01:10:46.970 route to Tehran ? 01:10:51.760 --> 01:10:54.460 I would have to look into that a little 01:10:54.460 --> 01:10:57.270 bit more in detail . We I'm aware of 01:10:57.280 --> 01:10:59.420 the investments through Central Asia 01:10:59.420 --> 01:11:02.900 and Pakistan . Um There's also 01:11:02.900 --> 01:11:06.870 maritime routes to to Iran as well but 01:11:06.870 --> 01:11:09.037 that I would I would submit that's not 01:11:09.037 --> 01:11:11.490 the that's not the objective . Uh I 01:11:11.490 --> 01:11:13.323 would appreciate getting that in 01:11:13.323 --> 01:11:15.434 writing because I think it would give 01:11:15.434 --> 01:11:17.610 them that unfettered access . The 01:11:17.610 --> 01:11:19.770 ability to build that consistent . 01:11:19.780 --> 01:11:21.780 Thank you . Mr Chairman . Thank you 01:11:21.780 --> 01:11:23.947 Senator Blackburn and let me recognize 01:11:23.947 --> 01:11:27.380 Senator King . Thank you . Mr 01:11:27.380 --> 01:11:31.050 Chairman . I think my first question Mr 01:11:31.050 --> 01:11:33.130 Halsey is the Trump administration 01:11:33.130 --> 01:11:35.297 entered into agreement an agreement in 01:11:35.297 --> 01:11:37.700 February of 2020 That all US . troops 01:11:37.700 --> 01:11:39.867 would be out of Afghanistan by May one 01:11:39.867 --> 01:11:43.810 of 2021 . The taliban had indicated 01:11:43.810 --> 01:11:45.930 that if that did not occur they would 01:11:45.940 --> 01:11:47.996 begin attacking U . S . Troops which 01:11:47.996 --> 01:11:50.000 they had not done during the period 01:11:50.000 --> 01:11:52.470 leading up to that . My specific 01:11:52.470 --> 01:11:54.637 question is have there been attacks on 01:11:54.637 --> 01:11:57.840 US troops Subsequent to May one 01:11:57.850 --> 01:12:01.050 or has the Taliban tacitly 01:12:01.060 --> 01:12:04.000 accepted the fact that it's the 01:12:04.010 --> 01:12:05.950 timetable has been extended to 01:12:05.950 --> 01:12:09.700 September senator ? I 01:12:09.710 --> 01:12:11.654 there have been no Taliban attacks 01:12:11.654 --> 01:12:13.766 against U . S . Or coalition forces . 01:12:13.766 --> 01:12:16.240 Uh Since May one , I can't speak to 01:12:16.240 --> 01:12:19.820 what the taliban's thinking is or what 01:12:19.830 --> 01:12:21.663 if there's been a tacit internal 01:12:21.663 --> 01:12:23.663 acceptance of that ? But there have 01:12:23.663 --> 01:12:25.608 been no attacks against U . S . Or 01:12:25.608 --> 01:12:27.774 coalition forces . But the taliban has 01:12:27.774 --> 01:12:29.663 gained ground in the last several 01:12:29.663 --> 01:12:31.052 months , have they not ? 01:12:33.850 --> 01:12:36.510 Senator ? Yeah . Yes the Taliban has 01:12:36.520 --> 01:12:39.170 has gained some some ground in 01:12:39.170 --> 01:12:41.620 Afghanistan . Uh And they've continued 01:12:41.630 --> 01:12:45.400 uh positioning themselves uh you know , 01:12:45.400 --> 01:12:47.860 within Afghanistan . Um you know , over 01:12:47.860 --> 01:12:49.980 the past several months , a question 01:12:49.980 --> 01:12:53.870 for both of you . Uh This is the this 01:12:53.870 --> 01:12:55.703 is the definition of a difficult 01:12:55.703 --> 01:12:59.500 decision . Uh Were 01:12:59.500 --> 01:13:02.670 we to decide It's an over it's a 01:13:03.050 --> 01:13:06.880 vital national interest to preserve the 01:13:07.850 --> 01:13:10.840 existing civil government , to protect 01:13:10.850 --> 01:13:13.480 women , women's rights and 01:13:13.850 --> 01:13:16.990 otherwise stifle the power of the 01:13:16.990 --> 01:13:19.157 taliban in the country ? What would it 01:13:19.157 --> 01:13:22.190 take in terms of a commitment by this 01:13:22.190 --> 01:13:24.380 country ? In terms of troops , money ? 01:13:25.600 --> 01:13:29.550 Air power , Are we back ? 01:13:29.550 --> 01:13:33.430 200,000 troops ? A surge 01:13:33.430 --> 01:13:35.590 such as occurred some years ago ? 01:13:35.600 --> 01:13:37.822 General ? Your thoughts , what would it 01:13:37.822 --> 01:13:41.790 take , Senator ? I can't 01:13:41.800 --> 01:13:44.530 answer that question specifically . I 01:13:44.530 --> 01:13:48.020 don't I don't uh I won't Presuppose 01:13:48.030 --> 01:13:51.470 a decision or a possible outcome 01:13:51.850 --> 01:13:54.310 and can't speak to what it might take 01:13:54.310 --> 01:13:56.477 in that . But if the president said to 01:13:56.477 --> 01:13:58.588 you , I want to stabilize , I want to 01:13:58.588 --> 01:14:00.643 get Afghanistan back to where it was 01:14:00.643 --> 01:14:02.754 five years ago . Your military advice 01:14:02.754 --> 01:14:05.088 would be we need a lot more troops . Mr . 01:14:05.088 --> 01:14:08.370 President and I s our air power a 01:14:08.380 --> 01:14:10.547 greater investment . Isn't that true ? 01:14:10.547 --> 01:14:12.730 I mean , uh We're not going to do it 01:14:12.730 --> 01:14:15.150 with 2500 4000 troops . Isen't that 01:14:15.150 --> 01:14:19.130 correct ? I would I would guess that 01:14:19.130 --> 01:14:21.450 if if that guidance and direction was 01:14:21.450 --> 01:14:23.970 given and the objectives were changed , 01:14:23.980 --> 01:14:26.147 then yes , we would . We would look to 01:14:26.147 --> 01:14:28.930 have significantly more capability For 01:14:28.930 --> 01:14:31.180 an indefinite period . That's that's 01:14:31.180 --> 01:14:33.513 that's what's very difficult about this . 01:14:33.513 --> 01:14:35.870 We've been there 20 years and here we 01:14:35.870 --> 01:14:39.380 are , with somewhat the same 01:14:39.380 --> 01:14:41.560 situation that we were in when we 01:14:41.560 --> 01:14:45.490 entered the country . So it's not only 01:14:45.490 --> 01:14:47.546 is it a question of investment , but 01:14:47.546 --> 01:14:49.212 it's a question of persistent 01:14:49.212 --> 01:14:51.101 investment . Over , as I say , an 01:14:51.101 --> 01:14:54.390 indefinite period , would you agree you 01:14:54.390 --> 01:14:56.612 probably don't want to ? But I'm asking 01:14:56.612 --> 01:15:00.440 you . Well , again , I think if 01:15:00.450 --> 01:15:04.270 uh I don't want to Presuppose , uh 01:15:04.280 --> 01:15:07.160 certainly an outcome or direction that 01:15:07.160 --> 01:15:09.340 were given in terms of uh maybe our 01:15:09.340 --> 01:15:11.562 objective , changing what it is we need 01:15:11.562 --> 01:15:14.370 to do based on a potential outcome . 01:15:17.040 --> 01:15:20.780 Mr Hosie , uh , We've 01:15:20.780 --> 01:15:22.960 invested a huge amount in Afghanistan 01:15:23.540 --> 01:15:26.640 terms of dollars , lives 10s of 01:15:26.640 --> 01:15:29.510 thousands of people wounded . And yet , 01:15:29.520 --> 01:15:33.520 here we are , on the brink of It's 01:15:33.520 --> 01:15:35.798 debatable . We'll know in a year or so , 01:15:35.798 --> 01:15:38.300 a Taliban retaking the country and 01:15:38.300 --> 01:15:40.578 we're right back where we were in 2001 . 01:15:40.840 --> 01:15:44.370 My question is , why couldn't the 01:15:45.240 --> 01:15:47.550 the Afghan government 01:15:48.840 --> 01:15:52.330 succeed given the level of support that 01:15:52.330 --> 01:15:55.870 they've had ? Why they've had 01:15:55.880 --> 01:15:58.290 airpower , they've had is our they've 01:15:58.290 --> 01:16:00.880 had economic support . They've had 01:16:00.890 --> 01:16:04.630 infrastructure support . And yet we see 01:16:04.630 --> 01:16:08.060 this terrorist group taking over 01:16:08.430 --> 01:16:10.740 in rural areas and approaching Kabul . 01:16:11.530 --> 01:16:14.970 What is this ? Is this something in the 01:16:14.970 --> 01:16:17.980 nature of the afghan polity that 01:16:17.990 --> 01:16:20.420 central government has not going to 01:16:20.420 --> 01:16:23.580 succeed ? Or or was it the people in 01:16:23.580 --> 01:16:26.260 this government ? What why are we , why 01:16:26.260 --> 01:16:28.450 are we where we are given the level of 01:16:28.450 --> 01:16:29.672 investment we've made 01:16:33.230 --> 01:16:35.250 senator . That that's a that's a 01:16:35.260 --> 01:16:38.120 complicated question . I mean , in part , 01:16:38.130 --> 01:16:40.640 I think you've hit on a number of 01:16:40.640 --> 01:16:44.150 points , I think , yeah , uh , you know , 01:16:44.830 --> 01:16:47.520 the central government in Afghanistan 01:16:47.520 --> 01:16:50.520 has not been strong . It's been over 01:16:50.520 --> 01:16:53.570 the course of afghans history . Uh , it 01:16:53.570 --> 01:16:55.500 has not been pronounced by strong 01:16:55.510 --> 01:16:57.510 central government . In fact , it's 01:16:57.510 --> 01:16:59.621 largely been weak and and diffuse and 01:16:59.621 --> 01:17:02.810 distributed what we have a scene . And 01:17:02.810 --> 01:17:05.032 what we've tried to tried to promote is 01:17:05.032 --> 01:17:07.254 a greater central government , bringing 01:17:07.254 --> 01:17:09.477 all afghans to the table and being part 01:17:09.477 --> 01:17:12.990 of a governing system that can 01:17:12.990 --> 01:17:15.780 ensure security for the country in 01:17:15.780 --> 01:17:18.310 economic development . That has been , 01:17:18.320 --> 01:17:20.542 that has been difficult and that's been 01:17:20.542 --> 01:17:23.660 that is not yet complete . I think in 01:17:23.660 --> 01:17:26.430 terms of why we were there center , I 01:17:26.430 --> 01:17:28.763 think it's important that we were there , 01:17:28.763 --> 01:17:30.830 we were there because of the attacks 01:17:30.840 --> 01:17:32.700 against this country . It was a 01:17:32.700 --> 01:17:34.700 counterterrorism mission . It was a 01:17:34.700 --> 01:17:36.811 counterterrorism mission . That's why 01:17:36.811 --> 01:17:38.922 we were authorized forces to go there 01:17:38.922 --> 01:17:41.110 and it succeeded for 20 years . It has 01:17:41.120 --> 01:17:43.360 it is it has it has largely succeeded . 01:17:43.360 --> 01:17:45.582 We brought the perpetrators of the 9 11 01:17:45.582 --> 01:17:49.100 attacks uh to justice and we have 01:17:49.100 --> 01:17:51.920 significantly reduced the threat of 01:17:51.920 --> 01:17:54.142 international terrorists emanating from 01:17:54.142 --> 01:17:56.253 Afghanistan . I think the president's 01:17:56.253 --> 01:17:58.790 decision reflects his determination 01:17:58.800 --> 01:18:02.320 that american interests uh can best be 01:18:02.320 --> 01:18:06.050 served by uh by by completing 01:18:06.050 --> 01:18:09.070 and ending the U . S . Military 01:18:09.070 --> 01:18:11.210 involvement in Afghanistan . That 01:18:11.220 --> 01:18:12.887 doesn't mean that the U . S . 01:18:12.887 --> 01:18:15.700 Involvement in Afghanistan concludes we 01:18:15.700 --> 01:18:17.811 will continue to work with the Afghan 01:18:17.811 --> 01:18:19.978 government , will continue to maintain 01:18:19.978 --> 01:18:21.756 a diplomatic presence and we'll 01:18:21.756 --> 01:18:23.644 continue providing support to our 01:18:23.644 --> 01:18:25.589 Afghan partners because we do have 01:18:25.589 --> 01:18:27.644 interests still in Afghanistan . But 01:18:27.644 --> 01:18:29.700 the president's determination is our 01:18:29.700 --> 01:18:31.867 interests can best be served without a 01:18:31.867 --> 01:18:33.867 military presence in that country . 01:18:34.520 --> 01:18:36.742 Thank you . Thank you . Mr . Chairman . 01:18:36.742 --> 01:18:38.631 Thank you . Senator King . Let me 01:18:38.631 --> 01:18:40.853 recognize Senator Tuberville , please . 01:18:42.720 --> 01:18:44.831 Thank you . Mr . Chairman . Thank you 01:18:44.831 --> 01:18:48.410 for being here today . Uh , Today 41 of 01:18:48.410 --> 01:18:50.632 our veterans served in our wars in Iraq 01:18:50.632 --> 01:18:52.770 and Afghanistan . It's our largest 01:18:52.770 --> 01:18:55.410 group of veterans ever . 7.8 million . 01:18:55.410 --> 01:18:58.800 We paid the ultimate price . Yeah . As 01:18:58.800 --> 01:19:01.540 a nation and in discussion on 01:19:01.540 --> 01:19:03.818 withdrawal needs to bear the sacrifice . 01:19:03.818 --> 01:19:05.707 And minor Afghan veterans will be 01:19:05.707 --> 01:19:09.340 listening closely today . Um General , 01:19:09.350 --> 01:19:11.517 uh , where will our nearest base be to 01:19:11.517 --> 01:19:15.470 Afghanistan ? After we pull out ? Where 01:19:15.470 --> 01:19:18.310 will our nearest base be ? After we 01:19:18.310 --> 01:19:21.230 pull out of Afghanistan ? After we pull 01:19:21.230 --> 01:19:23.397 in Afghanistan ? I believe our nearest 01:19:23.397 --> 01:19:25.674 base would be in the Arabian gulf free . 01:19:25.674 --> 01:19:27.952 Yeah , thank you . And your experience . 01:19:27.952 --> 01:19:30.119 Has the US been successful in over the 01:19:30.119 --> 01:19:32.230 risings counterterrorism efforts uh , 01:19:32.230 --> 01:19:35.150 in the past ? Yeah . 01:19:36.220 --> 01:19:38.600 You know , I've got Tell me a little 01:19:38.600 --> 01:19:42.020 bit uh went through Vietnam uh 18 years 01:19:42.020 --> 01:19:44.298 old . The stop the draft . I didn't go , 01:19:44.298 --> 01:19:46.298 had a lot of buddies that went some 01:19:46.298 --> 01:19:48.353 didn't come back . I can , one of my 01:19:48.353 --> 01:19:50.520 worst memories is that helicopter over 01:19:50.520 --> 01:19:52.687 Africa over our embassy and when we're 01:19:52.687 --> 01:19:55.040 pulling out and we left behind millions 01:19:55.040 --> 01:19:57.220 of people that supported us and a lot 01:19:57.220 --> 01:19:59.442 of them were slaughtered . Hope to heck 01:19:59.442 --> 01:20:01.609 we don't do this and this one , we did 01:20:01.609 --> 01:20:03.831 the same thing in a in Iraq . Sooner or 01:20:03.831 --> 01:20:05.887 later we're gonna have to understand 01:20:05.887 --> 01:20:08.053 why we get in these wars , we get them 01:20:08.053 --> 01:20:09.942 to win them . Uh And the american 01:20:09.942 --> 01:20:11.998 people deserve to know that we spend 01:20:11.998 --> 01:20:15.620 trillions of dollars . Uh uh Secretary 01:20:15.630 --> 01:20:17.741 of the U . S . Embassy in Afghanistan 01:20:17.741 --> 01:20:19.963 is already known as a variable military 01:20:19.963 --> 01:20:22.074 bunker . Do you believe that we'll be 01:20:22.074 --> 01:20:25.270 able to maintain that embassy senator ? 01:20:25.280 --> 01:20:28.090 Yes . And we are we are working today 01:20:28.090 --> 01:20:30.080 with our State Department U . S . 01:20:30.080 --> 01:20:33.230 Embassy Kabul , uh Joint Staff Central 01:20:33.230 --> 01:20:35.452 Command young counterparts to determine 01:20:35.452 --> 01:20:37.397 what specifically the requirements 01:20:37.397 --> 01:20:39.452 would be to to maintain that embassy 01:20:39.452 --> 01:20:41.563 and and how to resource that . That's 01:20:41.563 --> 01:20:43.674 also something that we're undertaking 01:20:43.674 --> 01:20:45.841 in concert with our with our coalition 01:20:45.841 --> 01:20:45.680 partners as well . Thank you . Thank 01:20:45.680 --> 01:20:48.100 you . Mr Chairman , thank you Senator 01:20:48.100 --> 01:20:51.230 Tuberville . Now recognize Senator 01:20:51.230 --> 01:20:52.120 Peters please ? 01:20:55.610 --> 01:20:57.832 Thank you . Mr Chairman and gentlemen , 01:20:57.832 --> 01:20:59.999 thank you for being here today . Thank 01:20:59.999 --> 01:21:02.166 you for your testimony . Thank you for 01:21:02.166 --> 01:21:05.570 your service . Uh Mr Harvey . I'll just 01:21:05.570 --> 01:21:07.681 start with a statement because I know 01:21:07.681 --> 01:21:09.737 you've been asked this question many 01:21:09.737 --> 01:21:11.792 times here uh this morning regarding 01:21:11.792 --> 01:21:13.848 special immigrant visa program and I 01:21:13.848 --> 01:21:16.380 just wanted to add my two cents worth 01:21:16.380 --> 01:21:18.547 of uh I appreciate your willingness if 01:21:18.547 --> 01:21:20.658 you've committed to working on that . 01:21:20.658 --> 01:21:22.824 Clearly folks who have been helping us 01:21:22.824 --> 01:21:25.158 over many years and served this country , 01:21:25.158 --> 01:21:27.102 we have to make sure that they are 01:21:27.102 --> 01:21:29.102 taken care of in a way that doesn't 01:21:29.102 --> 01:21:31.102 bring harm to themselves with their 01:21:31.102 --> 01:21:32.991 families . So I I appreciate your 01:21:32.991 --> 01:21:35.102 commitment that that you have already 01:21:35.102 --> 01:21:36.991 made here and hope that that will 01:21:36.991 --> 01:21:40.380 indeed occur . My question to you first , 01:21:40.380 --> 01:21:43.450 Mr Harvey is the absence of Taliban 01:21:43.450 --> 01:21:46.020 attacks on us and NATO personnel since 01:21:46.030 --> 01:21:49.490 May one indicates a capacity . It 01:21:49.490 --> 01:21:51.490 appears to adhere to the agreements 01:21:51.490 --> 01:21:54.470 that were made with us . But the peace 01:21:54.470 --> 01:21:58.300 process is ultimately between the 01:21:58.300 --> 01:22:01.450 Taliban and the Afghan government . And 01:22:01.460 --> 01:22:03.627 my question to you is how do we remain 01:22:03.627 --> 01:22:07.140 optimistic when over 400 pro government 01:22:07.140 --> 01:22:09.730 forces and Afghan civilians were killed 01:22:09.730 --> 01:22:11.786 just in the first two weeks of May ? 01:22:14.200 --> 01:22:16.340 Uh Senator I I wouldn't say that I'm 01:22:16.350 --> 01:22:19.110 optimistic . I would say that work 01:22:19.120 --> 01:22:21.960 still remains to be done and that the 01:22:21.960 --> 01:22:25.260 best future for Afghanistan will arrive 01:22:25.260 --> 01:22:27.482 through a negotiated peace settlement . 01:22:27.482 --> 01:22:29.380 And that's something that we as a 01:22:29.380 --> 01:22:32.040 department uh and as a government are 01:22:32.040 --> 01:22:34.970 continuing and committed to supporting 01:22:34.980 --> 01:22:37.840 this is this is a critically important 01:22:37.840 --> 01:22:40.730 work , but fundamentally the best path 01:22:40.730 --> 01:22:44.090 to a safe , secure and more prosperous 01:22:44.090 --> 01:22:46.146 future in Afghanistan is going to be 01:22:46.146 --> 01:22:48.201 the Afghan people themselves sitting 01:22:48.201 --> 01:22:50.360 down in determining determining their 01:22:50.360 --> 01:22:53.750 future . Indeed , a 01:22:53.760 --> 01:22:55.982 challenge that way , it's a significant 01:22:55.982 --> 01:22:58.910 one going forward . General . Uh the 01:22:58.920 --> 01:23:01.490 joint doctrine of stability list for 01:23:01.490 --> 01:23:03.601 fundamentals of stabilization , which 01:23:03.601 --> 01:23:05.657 I'm sure you're very , very familiar 01:23:05.657 --> 01:23:07.880 with unity of effort , conflict , 01:23:07.890 --> 01:23:09.790 transformation and host nation 01:23:09.790 --> 01:23:13.460 ownership and capacity by the measure 01:23:13.460 --> 01:23:16.110 of the joint doctrine for stability is 01:23:16.110 --> 01:23:19.490 Afghanistan clearly are currently 01:23:19.490 --> 01:23:23.400 stable and if not how does how 01:23:23.400 --> 01:23:26.140 would that relate to these four 01:23:26.140 --> 01:23:27.918 fundamentals of stabilization ? 01:23:31.200 --> 01:23:33.800 Senator , I think that Afghanistan is 01:23:33.810 --> 01:23:37.700 clearly very challenged right now um 01:23:37.710 --> 01:23:40.240 in those different areas , given that 01:23:40.250 --> 01:23:43.020 the the the pressure that the Taliban 01:23:43.400 --> 01:23:45.511 or exerting in different areas of the 01:23:45.511 --> 01:23:48.890 country um and the 01:23:48.900 --> 01:23:52.100 challenges that the government of 01:23:52.100 --> 01:23:54.800 Afghanistan and the Taliban face with 01:23:54.800 --> 01:23:57.530 their efforts to get after a negotiated 01:23:57.540 --> 01:23:58.540 peace settlement 01:24:01.290 --> 01:24:03.640 mr Harvey um in addition to funding 01:24:03.640 --> 01:24:06.620 capabilities and paying salary , will 01:24:06.620 --> 01:24:09.270 the Department of Defense continue 01:24:09.280 --> 01:24:11.447 institutional capacity building , such 01:24:11.447 --> 01:24:13.391 as the Military of Defense Advisor 01:24:13.391 --> 01:24:17.370 program going forward ? Uh 01:24:17.380 --> 01:24:19.670 Sarah , I think those uh those 01:24:19.670 --> 01:24:23.230 capabilities or those programs will 01:24:23.230 --> 01:24:25.780 have to be adjusted . I think the 01:24:25.780 --> 01:24:27.947 principal vehicles that we're gonna be 01:24:27.947 --> 01:24:30.002 looking to support is the salaries , 01:24:30.002 --> 01:24:32.320 support for the Afghan Air Force and 01:24:32.320 --> 01:24:34.600 Special Mission Wing and then the 01:24:34.600 --> 01:24:37.430 logistics and supply . Now , how we do 01:24:37.430 --> 01:24:41.230 that type of training and mentoring can 01:24:41.230 --> 01:24:43.119 be adjusted . So we're looking at 01:24:43.119 --> 01:24:45.119 different mechanisms and ways to be 01:24:45.119 --> 01:24:47.230 able to do that . Some of that can be 01:24:47.230 --> 01:24:49.490 done over the horizon . We would also 01:24:49.500 --> 01:24:52.430 look to maintain some type of security 01:24:52.430 --> 01:24:54.570 cooperation , you know , presence , 01:24:54.570 --> 01:24:56.403 which is typical and traditional 01:24:56.403 --> 01:24:58.626 through an embassy that can allow us to 01:24:58.626 --> 01:25:00.792 maintain those types of connections at 01:25:00.792 --> 01:25:02.990 the ministry level . Very good . Thank 01:25:02.990 --> 01:25:03.620 you Mr chairman .