Transcripts For CSPAN3 Senate Armed Services On Afghanistan

Good morning. The u. S. Senate Armed Services Committee Meets this morning to receive testimony on u. S. Strategy in afghanistan and south asia. We welcome secretary mattis and chairman dunford back to the committee. We thank you both for your many years of distinguished service and leadership of our men and women in uniform. 16 years ago this week u. S. And Coalition Forces began combat operations in afghanistan to eliminate the al qaeda terrorists who attacked our nation and removed the taliban regime that gave them sanctuary. Very few, few would have predicted that 16 years later we would still be fighting what has become americas longest war. To date, we have achieved our mission to prevent afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists to attack america or our allies and partners. But that success has come at a tremendous price, more than 2,000 americans have given their lives in this war and over 20,000 have been wounded. I repeat, over 20,000 have been wounded. While we are still denying safe haven to terrorists in afghanistan, there is no escaping our present reality. As secretary mattis and general nicholson have already testified to this committee, america is losing the war in afghanistan. That is unacceptable. Much of the responsibility for this failure rests with the Prior Administration more interested in leaving afghanistan than succeeding there. As a result, for most of the past eight years our commanders on the ground had to fight this war with restricted authorities and rules of engagement, insufficient resources, political micromanagement, artificial dead lines for withdrawal and a lack of president ial leadership. Our troops have fought bravely and honorably. Too often it seemed as if they were doing so with one hand tied behind their back. This was a situation President Trump inherited. It was not his doing but it is now his responsibility. When the president announced a new strategy for afghanistan in south asia on august 21st, it came after months of delay and indecision but it was encouraging in some respects. In particular, the president ended the foolish policy of arbitrary timetables for withdrawal and shifted to a conditionsbased approach. This was a step in the right direction. Same, in the six weeks since the president made his announcement, this committee in the congress, more broadly, still does not know many of the crucial details of this strategy. This is totally unacceptable. I repeat, this is totally unacceptable. Many members of this committee have been actively involved in the war in afghanistan since it started. A few have even served in the war on active duty. We expect indeed we require a regular flow of detailed information about this war. That is not because we want to inhibit our witnesses from doing their jobs, its because we have to do ours. We have to provide our troops with the vital authorities and resources they need to perform their missions. That is our separate coequal responsibility under the constitution. We take our duties as seriously as our witnesses take theirs, though i must say it is bizarre for a hearing of such our witnesses failed to submit written testimony to this committee. We want to be your partners. But this committee will not be a rubber stamp for any policy or president. We must be well informed. We must be convinced of the merits of the administrations actions. Unfortunately, we still have far more questions than answers about this new strategy. At the most basic level we still do not know how the president s new strategy will better enable us to achieve our stated objectives. In short, it remains unclear why we should be confident that this new strategy could turn the tide in afghanistan or bring us meaningfully closer to success than its failed predecessors. The president said in his speech that quote conditions on the ground not arbitrary timetables will guide our strategy from now on. But what are those conditions . The president said our goal is still to quote have a political settlement that includes elements of the taliban unquote. But we still do not know what kind of settlement the administration seeks, on what timeline . What role the United States intends to play in bringing it about, or what role we expect other nations to play. The president said we will use quote strategically applied force to create the conditions for such a political settlement. We know 3,500 more u. S. Troops are on their way to afghanistan, mostly to train and advise Afghan Forces and we know the military has been given more flexible authority to target our enemies. We still do not know how these military gains will be translated into progress towards a political solution. We have yet to hear a compelling case why this modest increase in u. S. Forces will produce battlefield results that can significantly offer a talibans calculus and create the conditions for reconciliation when we could not bring about this goal with far more troops on the ground. The president has also said quite importantly that we would change the u. S. Approach to pakistan that continues to harbor militants and terrorists who target u. S. Service members and officials. We still do not know what specific steps the United States will take to convince or compel pakistan to change its behavior, or what costs we will impose if pakistan fails to do so. Indeed, it is unclear to me, if the administration believes any step or series of steps the United States might take, will lead pakistan for support and sanctuary for certain terrorist groups which has been a future of its National Security policy for decades. Secretary mattis, general dunford, this committee, the congress, the American People and our men and women in uniform all hold you in the highest regard. We have confidence in your leadership, your integrity and your judgment. In light of the experience of the last 16 years, what should give us confidence that this new strategy will be different . To answer that central question, this committee in particular deserves a lot more detailed information from the president and from you, not just at todays hearing but in the days, weeks and months ahead. Senator reid. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Senator reed. Thank you for being with us to discuss this very important topic. On august 21st, the president of the United States said the United States would support the costs to insure extremist groups never again use afghanistan as a basis to attack the United States. In february, commander john nicholson, commander of u. S. Forces testifieded the conflict reached a stalemate and needed several thousand more troops to carry out, train and advise and assist Security Forces and the ministry of defense and ministry of interior. While i support the increase of troops and additional authority, some suggested we have already been down this path, a surge of 100,000 troops cannot bring this conflict to an end. Gentleman, i will ask you in many different ways, what will be different about this effort that will bring about a change that didnt happen previous efforts with greater numbers and shorts. Were not trending in a positive direction. Afghan Security Forces continue to have high incident rates of the insurgency and carrying out high profile attacks while maintaining ability to regenerate their losses. There are record amounts killed this year and setting amounts of opium will be produced this year providing a steady of funds to fuel the conflict. On the other hand, despite this, African Forces repeatedly demonstrated ability to withstand the taliban offenses and capture lost ground. They want to further increase their offensive capabilities. It has been a force multiplier for Security Forces and enabling greater offensive action. Limited assistance, conduct target surveillance and after action, battleground assessments. Additional u. S. Support will finally tip the balance on the ground. Ultimately this conflict will not be won on the battleground. And afghanistan will continue to set the conditions. A peace settlement between the government of afghanistan and taliban that protects u. S. Interests and the president also stated the strategy would integrate all diplomatic power and military. We have heard very little about the diplomatic economic aspect of the plan. I hope you give us a sense how our continuing involvement in afghanistan will help resolve political problems. If the Program Continues to be successful, in pakistan, they continue to provide the ability to train, rest, recruit, stage attacks without significant fear of interference. We heard the administration intends to change the relationship with pakistan in order to compel action that supports our efforts in afghanistan. I agree a change is needed and look forward to hearing the tools available to get pakistan to make more on these issues. In addition to pakistan there are a number of regional actors to play a role in their future. Countries such as russia, china, iran and india. Each seeking to insure their own National Interests are preserved in afghanistan many may be divergent in general interests. The subcommittee is eager to hear regarding theself military aspects and achievements of instate. Thank you for appearing and i welcome your testimony. Welcome, secretary mattis. Chairman mccain, Ranking Member reed, distinguished members of the committee, i aappear to you and were staying closely linked to the Intelligence Community to events. This committee is keenly aware our country faces today. Russia continues to invest a full range of capabilities to erect power, erode u. S. Influence and undermine transatlantic alliance. China is weakening our pacific in the ento Pacific Region even as we work to finds Common Ground in actions. Reflected by the two latest Security Council sanctions resolutions is focused on the destabilizing threat posed by nork and kim jonguns nuclear capabilities. They remain focused on the defense of the United States and our allies. In the middle east, while we continue to make games against the terrorist enemy in syria, iraq and elsewhere. In afghanistan we have faced a difficult 16 years. General nicholson, our nato and uggs field commander in 39 nations has blunted the terrorist offensive moved in afghanistan. Afghan Security Forces and disarray among many groups in afghanistan have caused the taliban to restrain resources. And limit the talibans ability to conduct major offenses. Beginning last month for the first time in this long fight all six Afghan Military cores are engage in offensive operations. During these recent months there have been fewer civilian casualties as a result of coalition operations. Regrettably, taliban high profile i tacks consider. While while they plan to preserve the district centers, they have generally been forced of the use of improvised explosive devices. The rate of African Security casualties has reduced from last year. I just returned last week from a trip to india and afghanistan. I can report general nicholson and the nato team are holding the line. The forecast of a group are unfulfilled. Violence in afghanistan continues to coexist. The uncertainty about the nato campaign is due to President Trumps new south asia strategy. This strategy had been welcomed almost uniformly by leaders in the south i than and the nato led campaign. We must always remember we are in afghanistan to make america safer and insure south africa cannot plot attacks against our homeland and partners or allies. Its a goal. A Police Settlement is only possible if taliban conduct support or conduct terrorism. Based on ni analysis and own evaluation, i am convinced our new conditionsbased approach has set the stage for regional and african change. Our new strategy vigorously reviewed and approved by President Trump is quote r 4 plus s unquote which stands for regionalized, realigned, reinforce, reconcile and sustain. The first r, regionlize, recognizes challenges exist beyond afghanistan. The strategy adopts a geographic framework with a holistic comprehensive view. India, pakistan, russia and china. Were considered at the outset rather than focusing only on afghanistan and then introducing external variables late in our strategic design. My visit last week was to thank them for their continued support in afghanistan. We discussed collaboration to i long term regional stability and security. We will firmly address pakistans role. Natos demands need to be heard and embraced. The second r, is for realign and signifies were shifting our main effort to align more advisors who can provide training and advisory sport at the baaal yan and brigade level. The fighting will continue to be carried out by our afghan partners. But advisors will accompany Tactical Units to advise and assist and bring nato fire support to bear when needed. Make no mistake, this is a combat duty. But the Afghan Forces remain in the lead to do the fighting. We have a approximately 11,000 troops in afghanistan along 6,800 from nato and Coalition Partners and 320,000 afghan National Security forces. From these numbers alone you can see the of Afghan Forces remain the main effort. We are supporting them not sur planting or substituting supports for theirs. The third r is reenforce. And that is seen in our addition of 3,000 u. S. Troops arriving now and in the coming months to extend nato advisory effort to afghan troops that are currently without. Nato secretary general and i together toured afghanistan last week. Sending a message to the nato coalition unity. He is reaching out to allies to increase their troop levels. In light of our new strategy, 15 nations have signalled they will increase their support. Again, certainty having replaced uncertainty we are looking to partners to provide for troop and financial support. The last r, reconcile. Is the desired out come from our military operation. Convincing our foes the coalition is committed to a conditions based out come. We intend to drive fence sitters and who see were not quitting the fight to reconcile with the Afghan National government. Our goal is stable afghanistan. Achieved through afghan led, afghan owned Peace Process. War is principlely a matter of will. And the International Community is making clear that it will stand alongside the afghans committed to this fight. As we have shifted to a conditions based strategy. Not time based or troop number focussed, am bigty is removed. The elements of the strategy are a tangible demonstration of the resolve. All this will be carried out by, with and through the afghan partners and within the coalition frame work. Ensuring this campaign is politically, fiscally and militarily sustainable. Our afghan partners who continue to take the lead fight most effectively will nato and partners are alongside them. As president said to the United Nations General Assembly in new york city, afghans are determined to fight no one should mistake our will to defend our country. I am hearthened and impressed by the International Reception to the strategy. I am confident we will see heightened levels of support from our allies and partners in the months ahead. As nato secretary general said last week in kabul. This is about making sure afghanistan doesnt once again become a save haven for international terrorist. The best way is enable the afghans to have defense secretary forces put their Strong Enough to do that. Were already starting to see the psychological impact of the new strategy. Militarily in the field as well as through president gany and the Afghan Government commitment to reform. President gani recognizes that fighting corruption and accelerating constitutional reform across government are critical to success. The recently launched u. S. Afghan compact out lining 200 measurable bench parks for reform demonstrate our shared emphasis on the goals. Our south asia strategy reenforces to the taliban the only path to peace and political legitimacy is through a negotiated settlement. It is time for the taliban to recognize they cannot kill their way to power. Nor can they provide refuge or support to transnational terrorists who intend to do us harm. I want to close by recognizing the need to maintain the closest possible dialogue with congress. And specifically with this committee. I pledge the department of defense will be fully responsive to your requirement to be kept appraised. Of current and planned operations. As my Senate Confirmed position get filled, we will have greater capacity to deal with the multiple worldwide security challenges while keeping you fully informed. I trust ill have your support to ensure necessary civilian over sight of the military as we address todays complex and increaseingly volatile National Security environment. Thank you. Thank you. General dunford. General mccain, thank you for the opportunity to join secretary mattis in providing an update on the south asia strategy. In recent months our commander in afghanistan described the current condition as a stalemate. Secretary mattis testified we are not winning in members of this committee made similar statements. S