The committee will come to order. Without objection, all members will have five days to submit statements, extraneous material and questions for the record, subject to the limitation in the rules. Before i begin, i want to make the big announcement that today is mr. Mccauls birthday. So happy birthday, mr. Mccaul. [ applause ] im 35 years once again. Yes. Me too. Pursuant to notice were here today to examine Trump Administration policy toward iran. I welcome our panel of distinguished witnesses. Welcome to members of the public and the press as well. We had hoped to hear from secretary pompeo today, as well, after we invited him, he announced he would instead be in california. Thats unfortunate, whether you agree with this administrations approach to iran or not. I dont think there is a member of this committee who doesnt want to hear from mr. Pompeo and the American People certainly deserve to hear answers with our troops and diplomats being asked to hand in harms way. But this commit
Everyone please sit down. Know we have people trickling in, but we are starting anyway. Ok. Welcome to the Wilson Center to those who are physically here and those who will be watching us on cspan and by other means. Harman, the president and ceo of the Wilson Center and former member of congress who is proud of her role in helping create the department of Homeland Security. Today we are pleased to cohost ural Homeland Security Experts Group meeting with support from the miners association, american airlines, and mckinsey. It is the group of the best americann the Homeland Security. It was found over 10 years ago and is now rebooted and housed at the minor corporation. Secretary and my dear friend Michael Chertoff and i are honored to be cochairs, and rob walker is the newly minted director. Mission is to offer independence, nonpartisan advice to key government officials as they face hard security programs, raise awareness, and offer solutions. We are nonpartisan and we hope we add val
Of tact and democracy. Mr. Shabazz, before we get into the freedom of the net report that Freedom House has put out, what is Freedom House . Guest Freedom House is an independent organization founded in 1941 to promote democracy both in the United States and overseas. We do this through research, advocacy and on the ground programming in many countries around the world. Host how are you funded and is their government funding about . Guest there is government funding in part from the state department and the u. S. Agency for International Development but its also a bit diverse in that we have funding from Tech Companies, from foundations and private individuals. Host you just put out a new report called the crisis of social media. Whats the main take away in this report . Guest the main take away is of the internet is becoming less free around the world. There are many trends that weve seen around how Free Expression and privacy are under threat but the main theme we looked at this year
Men as well as opposition denounces what its calling a parliamentary could last the Opposition Leader is blocked from entering. And unrest in liberia with the many unhappy with the political debate. Im joining us roscoe with the sport football returns to its early after the winter break and so does racism as mary about a tele faces abuse from the stands again. The funeral procession for iranian general customs for their money has just finished and ted on the fallout from his assassination on friday in a u. S. Air strike continues to grow irans Supreme Leader ayatollah ali how many and president Hassan Rouhani led prayers at the funeral proceedings in the iranian capital early on monday soleimani his body would now be taken to come on. Hell be buried on tuesday while amid the funeral proceedings u. S. President donald trump has warned iraq that hell impose heavy sanctions if it expels american troops the rocks parliament voted in favor of removing Foreign Forces and retaliation for the
In the playoffs. Would begin in iran borders have gathered in the thousands to walk among the body of custom saw the body of the Iranian Military commander assassinated by a u. S. Airstrike in iraq on friday a short time ago body arrived in the city of mashad where tens of thousands of whitey his death has dramatically escalated tensions around the region on sunday donald trump issued a warning threatening to hit dozens of targets inside iran if it retaliates against the u. S. And in the iraqi capital there were several rocket attacks one exploded in the heavily fortified green zone with the u. S. Embassy is located 2 other rockets hit close to an iraqi base where there are u. S. Troops and contract. Crowds as weve reported are gathered in mashad at the shrine of reza are indorsed jabari joins us live from the now endorser after the initial shock some solo on his death this is a chance for people to pay their respects what hes saying. Well the. 5 anguish and. Sadness through the menu h