Good morning. The u. S. Senate Armed Services Committee Meets this morning to receive testimony on u. S. Strategy in afghanistan and south asia. We welcome secretary mattis and chairman dunford back to the committee. We thank you both for your many years of distinguished service and leadership of our men and women in uniform. 16 years ago this week u. S. And Coalition Forces began combat operations in afghanistan to eliminate the al qaeda terrorists who attacked our nation and removed the taliban regime that gave them sanctuary. Very few, few would have predicted that 16 years later we would still be fighting what has become americas longest war. To date, we have achieved our mission to prevent afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists to attack america or our allies and partners. But that success has come at a tremendous price, more than 2,000 americans have given their lives in this war and over 20,000 have been wounded. I repeat, over 20,000 have been wounded. While we a
Which has been a future of its National Security policy for decades. Secretary mattis, general dunford, discovery, congress, the American People and our men and women in uniform hold you in the highest regard. We have confidence in your leadership, your integrity and your judgment but in light of the experience of the last 16 years what should give us congress the this new strategy for afghanistan will be different . To answer that central question this committee in particular deserves a lot more detailed information from the president and from you not just at todays hearing but in the days, weeks and months ahead. Thank you, mister chairman. I would like to join you in welcoming secretary mattis in general shaheen dunford. Donald trump announced the president would stay the course in afghanistan continuing missions of counterterrorism and Capacity Building to a short history mixed groups never again use afghanistan as a base to attack the United States. In february general john nichol
Good morning. The u. S. Senate Armed Services Committee Meets this morning to receive testimony on u. S. Strategy in afghanistan and south asia. We welcome secretary mattis and chairman dunford back to the committee. We thank you both for your many years of distinguished service and leadership of our men and women in uniform. 16 years ago this week u. S. And Coalition Forces began combat operations in afghanistan to eliminate the al qaeda terrorists who attacked our nation and removed the taliban regime that gave them sanctuary. Very few, few would have predicted that 16 years later we would still be fighting what has become americas longest war. To date, we have achieved our mission to prevent afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists to attack america or our allies and partners. But that success has come at a tremendous price, more than 2,000 americans have given their lives in this war and over 20,000 have been wounded. I repeat, over 20,000 have been wounded. While we a
Because the president himself has talked about it and revealed that letter. I asked Deputy Rosenstein and make a recommendation in writing. We prepared those and submitted it to the president. , i dont thinkin it has been fully understood the significance of the error mr. Comey made on the clinton matter. For the first time im aware of and all of my experience, i dont think ive heard of the situation in which a major case in which the department of justice prosecutors were in an investigation, the Investigative Agency announces the closure of the investigation. A few weeks before this happened he was testifying before the congress and he said he thought he did the right thing and would do it again. The Deputy Attorney general rosenstein, 27 years in the department of justice, harvard graduate must serve for eight years under president obama, and four years under president bush, he said that was a usurpation of the position of the department of justice. Particularly we were concerned th
America. You can understand and know that with my 15 years in that department and my 20 years in this committee with oversight of that department, i understand all of the responsibilities i have and the duties that i have the time to have to undertake, and i will do my best every day to be worthy of the trust you have placed in me. Everything will day, the men and women in the department of justice worked to protect our now Still National security against terrorist threats, civil rights, reduce Violent Crime, stop deadly drug dealers, and strengthen the rule of law. Today, i would like to share some thoughts about what we are doing, and give you insight into the exciting activities that are ongoing. The department of justice is resolutely focused on dealing with the terrorism threats that we face. They are real, the military tells us they can expect not a reduction after isis is defeated, but maybe even an increase in attacks. The president s executive order is an important step to ens