The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. We thank all Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. We thanks all of those in attendance. In rolling out the new south asia strategy last august the administration underscored the United States hard fought security gangs in afghanistan and reiterated helping establish a political resolution. With recent reports of shrinking government control of territory, continued high attrition of Afghan Forces, and deadly attacks in kabul by isis, it is clear that the foundation is a long way off. But we are encouraged by the troop strength authorized in the new strategy at 12,300 military personnel with an additional thousand on request which is approaching the level our force commander requested in 2014. Our nato and nonnato allies have also reinforced troop commitments and support to Afghan Forces through 2020. U. S. Commander general nicholson says he now has what he needs to assist afghans in achieving a sustainable out