Five c children are among the dd in a russian attack. Children are bearing the brunt of the intensifying violence. And no Midnight Mass at notre dame in paris for the first time in over two centuries. Christmas services will not be held at the landmark cathedral because of renovation work to repair damage from this years devastating fire. Phillies navidad Feliz Navidad Merry Christmas. We catch up with visitors from around the world at one of germanys famous Christmas Markets. Leila thank you so much for your company to our viewers on the United States in pbs and viewers around the world, a very warm welcome. Across continents and cultures, christians around the world prepare to celebrate christmas. Thousands have gathered in bethlehem. Worshipers from around the world have packed a major square in the center of the bustling west bank town where christians believe jesus was born. The traditional Midnight Mass is held in the nativity. Earlier in the day, the head of the Catholic Church
I want to start by thanking our witnesses secretary esper and chairmans a joint chief of staff for appearing before us to testify. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss our policy in syria, particularly in light of the events that happened win turkey invaded and drove the kurds out of portions. Our first hearing since the congressman from new york joined the committee. I want to thank him. We have a lot of new faces in this committee that are a year into it. They are not new faces anymore but good to have another freshman added to the committee. I appreciate him serving. The purpose of this hearing is to look at events around syria. A whole bunch of questions and the other big issue is the ability of memories of this committee to ask questions of the key policymake is in an area of importance to the committee and to give them an opportunity to learn more about the policy and express their views and that is a huge part of our oversight role in congress and it is enormously important
Moscow utilizes Digital Technologies to target us and our democratic allies from within. It includes election meddling and influenced operations directed by the highest levels of the russian government the very heart of the western world. We provided significant foreign assistance in europe and eurasia, almost all of which supports building resilience to an increasing pressure on russian malign influence in accordance with the fine. The department has increased his support for the Global Engagement center through additional funding and tapping. We have degraded prudence costs. By imposing the administration a section 321 russiarelated individuals and entities in january 2017. These sanctions and related action serve as a warning to the russian government that we will not tolerate inactivity aimed at undermining or manipulating our 2020 election. I confronted Deputy Foreign minister on russian interference in our elections in july and have raise the matter with Russian Ambassador severa
The committee will come to order. Thank you all for coming today and to the witnesses for joining us today as we examine the current state of the u. S. Russia relationship and the strategy to deal with the Russian Federation. Its timely to assess the relationship with russia and as weve recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the events that led to the collapse of the soviet union, the fall of the berlin wall, solidarity, selection, victory in poland and the baltic demonstrations among others. Many former soviet states had become prosperous democracies with memberships in nato and the eu. Mr. Putin has taken russia down a much darker path. Today Many Russians suffer with oligarchs enriching themselves to control the major industries. Russia rates its elections to ensure onlensure a week from und politician speak the cut. Russia is targeted and expelled humanitarian organizations and three Media Outlets labeling them as foreign agents. The russian people are in humanity imprisoned a
I want to thank our witnesses, secretary esper, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff milley for appearing before us to testify. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss our policy in syria particularly in light of the events that happened when turkey invaded and drove the kurds out of portions. Our first hearing since the congressman from new york joined the committee. I want to thank him. We have a lot of new faces in this committee that are a year into it. They are not new faces anymore but good to have another freshman added to the committee. I appreciate him serving. The purpose of this hearing is to look at events around syria. A whole bunch of questions and the other big issue is the ability of memories of this committee to ask questions of the key policymake is in an area of importance to the committee and to give them an opportunity to learn more about the policy and express their views and that is a huge part of our oversight role in congress and it is enormously important.