Good morning, everybody. Time to givee some you a quick update about the situation in iraq. Meetingy, i convened a with my National Security discuss the situation there and this morning i received an update from my team. Days wevest several seen significant gains made by organizationrist that operates in both iraq and in syria. A terroristof offensive, Iraqi Security forces have proven unable to defend a which hascities allowed the terrorists to overrun part of iraqs territory danger to iraqa and its people, and, given the of these terrorists, it could pose a threat eventually to american interests, as well. Is not brand new. Over the last year, we have been up our Security Assistance to the Iraqi Government with increased equipping and intelligence. Now, iraq needs additional momentum ofreak the Extremist Groups and bolster the capabilities of Iraqi Security forces. Will not be sending u. S. Troops back into combat in iraq but i have asked my National Security team to prepare a range
Cigarettes and destroyed tombs. We saw one of the more larger tombs or shrines in iraq being destroyed earlier this year. In terms of public works, they helped build a new market. They have an Electrical Office which helps train and repair Electrical Services throughout the town. They have had a lot of road were done in some areas where they have rehabilitated roads, whether it is in terms of putting up plants in the medians, and they have also been able to continue operating the dam. They have set up an office to provide money for the needy. They claim that this helps also with farmers and their harvests. They are now conducting a post office. On the more ideological side of things, they have a media outlet where they pass out dvds of video releases they put out online. They have a truck which roves around with a lot of Different Things related to islam and their ideology. They stop in some areas to talk to children and adults to try to teach them at their interpretations of islam. Th
Long been simmering there. That has created folder abilities within the Iraqi Government and in the Security Forces. Any action that we may take to iraqie assistance to Security Forces has to be joined by a serious and secure effort asideqi leaders to set sectarian differences, promote stability, and account for the legitimate interests of all iraqs communities and to build an Effective Security force. We cannot do it for them. In the absence of this type of lyrical effort, shortterm military action, including any assistance we might provide, wont succeed. This should be a wake up call. Iraqs leaders have to demonstrate a willingness to make our decisions and compromises. Hard decisions and compromises. In that effort, they will have the support of the United States and our friends and our allies. Have someghbors responsibility to support this process. Nobody has an interest in seeing terrorists gain a foothold inside of iraq and no one has any benefit from seeing iraq to send into cha
Dr. Fleming. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Secretary hagel, weve talked about this 30day notice. Yesterday the chairman told us that he received notification after Sergeant Bergdahl had actually been transferred. Im sure his Senate Counterpart received that notice at the same time. It was really a notice after the fact, and i listened carefully through all the questions, all the legalese, the technical, the spin, everything. Its clear to me that really what happened here, and this goes back to the question from the previous gentleman as to what else could have been done, has there been any other offers. My understanding is that back in 2011 and in 2012 when this issue was first brought forward that secretary clinton opposed it without additional measures and protections. And i believe also mr. Clapper and others as well, congress on a bipartisan basis pushed back on this. And so it really suggests to me that when this erupted again this past january, that the president decided he didnt want
Founding principles of jury duty. At this point, i think if most people had to choose between jury duty and leading a soldier crash on your couch, we would choose the latter. The eighth amendment protects us from cruel and unusual punishment, which apparently does not include strapping a citizen to a table and murdering them. I guess that is some sort of judgment call. The rest of the civilized world has stopped practicing capital punishment, and meanwhile, officials in oklahoma we leave the last minute of this and take you lie to a briefing in san antonio, texas, for the latest on the situation on Sergeant Bowe bergdahl, held captive in afghanistan for years. Click the mission lead missionters the lead headquarters for this, the integration phase. Today, we address your questions on the integration of Sergeant Bowe bergdahl, who is now here at fort sam houston. Our panel today includes the Reintegration Mission commander southmmander of u. S. Army Major General joseph e desalvo joseph