Failing at that time and they were two of the major architects. And i know they give credit to many others, but two of the major architects of the surge which turned out to be a great sacrifice of american blood and treasure, a success. The black flags of isil are now flying over yet another major iraqi city, ramadi, the capital of iraqs Anbar Province. And reports overnight suggest that isil controls the syrian city of palmyra as well. This hearing does not is not about the fall of any one city as important as those losses are, but rather what its revealed about the limitations of an overly constrained american air campaign. The weaknesses of iraqi forces the growing maligned role of iran, and the ineffectiveness and inadequacy of u. S. Military support for iraqi and syrian partners. But most concerning it highlights the shortcomings of the administrations indecisive policy, inadequate commitment, and incoherent strategy. This misguided approach has failed to stop if not foster the ex