President for foreign policies here at the kato institute. Thank you for being here today and the outstanding conference stuff who do a terrific job organizing our many events. Welcome also to those of you watching at cspan and online at kato. Org. Following the september 11 terrorist attacks in october 2001 the United States issued combat operations inside afghanistan and against the taliban government that had harbored the terrorist there is. The ensuing 16 years, u. S. Goals have changed marginally but they typically include defeating al qaeda and other terrorist groups with global reach, strengthening the Afghan Government and Security Forces to prevent the taliban from retaking political power and denying terrorists a safe haven. Aassessments are mixed at best. In june secretary of state james mattis stated we are not winning in afghanistan right now. Estimates what have we spent prang from 840 billion to over 2 trillion plus over 2300 u. S. Troops killed and another 20,000 wounde
I grabbed my purse and that was it. We had to get out. Reporter jessica watt spent the night at a friends house last night. Tonight shes not sure where she and her dad will be. Bob yates is heading to his dads place in placerville. I can get a shower change some clothes and feel a little better anyway. Reporter cal fire chief mike watson told residents going home will be tomorrow at the earliest. At the very very earliest. Reporter tonight the fire is burning south and east of Lake Berryessa. Where the fire is at right now, its very very remote. There arent really any homes right there right now. Reporter for the folks waiting to get pack to their places, it is just a matter of time. It is also early in what will be a long fire season. This is the second time in a year, and frankly its getting old. Reporter there have been nearly 7,000 acres burned. The fire is being attacked by 10 helicopters, four air tankers and 1300 firefighters who are working to get this fire contained. Right now
Goes forward, will the congress u. S. Congress have any role any further role in this Agreement Number one . Number two can any president alter this agreement or refuse to abide by it in the future . Well, congress will always have a role, obviously, and youve made that Crystal Clear in the context of what were doing here now. So, yes, there will be an ongoing role with respect to the enforcement, the implementation, our do we have to vote on anything . Afterwards . To repeal sanctions or ultimately, yes. Ultimately the iran sanctions act itself. There is the lifting of sanctions. Ultimately you would have to vote. If we dont do that pursuant to the agreement are there any penalties on our part . Actually, iran is fry to break the agreement because we will have broken it and then all bets are off in terms of compliance. Can a future president refuse to abide by the agreement . Absolutely. A future president can but its our judgment if the agreement is fully implemented and is working w
Options off the table except the economy of iran will be fortified, theyll be able to withstand sanctions in an enhanced way, and that the ability to reassemble this International Coalition will be very difficult as the countries will be doing business and reengageing with iran. Do you agree with that assessment . Or do you conclude that thats a that some have suggested . Third, you concluded mr. Secretary this agreement makes our world, our allies, including israel, and the region safer. I have no doubt you have concluded that is correct based on your best assessment. If you would just provide for us kind of some thinking of why it is that the current israeli leadership does not see it that way. You know, as they obviously have sort of come to a different conclusion. Why do you think that is . Four, after 15 years, iran most have suggested, is a Nuclear Threshold state. But that they must negotiate comprehensive safeguards again with the iaea. And whether or not i know theres been som
Including ambassador burns, forceful in saying its important that we send a Strong Military message should any agreement go forward. And when it comes to sales and transfer of arms and other things, you began to speak to this. I want to give you the time to address, what military options, what are our strongest saupgzoptions that we still have and how we can act on this. Im going to give all three of you the remainder of my time so you can answer some questions and i wont be interrupting you. Thank you congressman. Let me say quickly because i want my colleagues to have a chance to catch up here. But on the european partners, france in the final comments when they signed on to the agreement, it was bastille day. July 14th. And the foreign minister said that he thought this agreement was not only a strong agreement, but he hoped it would be remembered in the same way as having the positive impact for the world, the way bastille day was remembered as having the impact for the development