Kerry's Afghanistan hearing

[karynnj]

From an old TayTay post, here is a link to see it - http://foreign.senate.gov/Flashtest.html

Kerry is now giving his statement.

(Very poor summary - this is an incredible statement and it is not yet on the website)
Kerry went through the history. Spoke of moving the Taliban, but not far. Spoke of the closing window of opportunity. He praised what the troops are doing, but says they need a policy equal to them. Says this should not be a partisan issue. Can help Obama by asking tough questions - as he has. HRC promised to come to testify in Oct after decisions made. Kerry says no amount of money, troops, etc will matter unless the mission is clear. Need to know size of foot print.

Interesting article in today's WP - then Kerry spoke of questions not being asked in 65, 66 on the domino theory and other things, when the refrain was just "more troops". Need the right level of civilian resources - not just a military solution. Need to know Afghan history - decentralized. Things that work in one place, won't work elsewhere. Need to weigh our choices of what is possible.

We need to be humble about the amount of change that we can create in another country - this was true in Iraq, and still is - even truer in Afghanistan. Obama said goal is to keep it from being an Al Queda stronghold. (Mentioned that a top AQ leader in Somalia killed - even with no major force there.)

Kerry said he did not know the answer - need to ask the questions. Need to communicate clear goal and show progress.


(After Kerry, they recessed to vote)

(Also posted in DU-P) - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8657137&mesg_id=8657137