we help build a state mr. chairman but cannot forge a nation. the fact that the afghan army we and our partners train simply melted away in many cases without firing a shot took us all by surprise. in the end, we couldn t provide them with the will to win, at least not all of them and as a veteran of that war, i am personally reckoning with all of that. that was secretary of defense lloyd austin. delivering some painful truths about this country s 20-ar endeavor in afanistan. he testified today along with the commander of u.s. central command and the chaian of the joint chief of staff mark milley. republicans spent their time hammering talking points attempting to blame joe biden for ending a forever war that republicans favorite president vowed to end, too.