>> you have to say it started in

december that's when it authorized >> they are not or able to organize well. there's divisions within iraq that make it very difficult. i just wish it weren't so. i'm afraid that is the reality we are dealing with. i believe the un has 4 million refugee, 7 million displaced

person. it is obvious to me this is a humanitarian catastrophe. we need to to deal with it in an honest way. the most effective and honest way is to keep people as close to home as possible. if they they can't stay in their home because of violence and war than they ought to be as close to home as possible. i talked to a senior official recently and he told me on this refugee crisis is the greatest threat to europe since world war ii. i don't see any plan to make it better. we have have to consider creating safe zones within syria. i understand there some places within syria that refugees can stay. we can't have millions of people walking into europe. it's hardly worth discussing. i am really worried about this.

i wish we could have done much about it. i been so slow to act initially this is what resulted, now the situation is more grim than it should be in my opinion. i do tend to agree with general austen the defeat of eisele is not the end of the problems in the middle east. we have extremism that may be going on for 50 years. would you agree with that? >> i absolutely agree. >> one victory here it doesn't mean there is a total victory. total victory. there will be of problem somewhere else as long as this ideology is out there. we need a strategy. and understood strategy, bipartisan. with our eye allies around the world to confront this long-term, multi- decade threat

can and try to help protect people in the middle east from this disaster. i want to ask you do we have a strategy of that kind that our allies in the united states, congress, all agree on? >> we have a strategy to defeat isil ultimately in the middle east. it's largely in the middle east but it is spreading other areas. there are other dynamics in the middle east that are part of this. there's the broader conflict that has gone on for decades. the fact that many governments in that region are not very representative and have internal policies that don't give much freedom to their people so that is part of what is part of what is creating a problem. a big part of our strategy is

working with these people. >> well set in one sense. does that mean we don't support the king of jordan? >> i'm asking rhetorically. we have to have a more realistic policy than that. i was just reading a book on order and last night hit the part about george and the containment strategy that maintained western unity, free world against the communist total talent terry them. it went on for almost 50 years. this is the way it was expressed. southern expansionism was real and in harwich, the conflict was inherent in the two ideologies. it is incompatible to

constitutional democracy. he said, it could be quote contained by a diligent application of counterforce at a series of constantly shifting geographical and political points. i don't sense that we have any such strategy. i'm sorry we don't. i think radical islam is essential component. thank you mr. chairman. >> thank you both for being here. since senator commented about communism and segues into my first question why do you believe four years into this conflict that russia is deploying material and increase

shipments to the outside regime and really setting up shop in syria and away they have it it in the last four years? >> russia has been a supported of the asad regime for some time. putin has spoken more publicly russia has played today. part of what may be happening, part of putin's calculus is a shots regime has been under greater threat in the last several months and is so has advanced in some other areas. patent may be nervous about the stability of the a shod regime and may be trying to shored up. >> given that, how do we assess the possibility the a shod regime might fall? >> at this point the assessments i have read and the regime has considerable strength in terms of military forces.

it is still most powerful military force on the ground. the support it receives from iran and russia remain significant. there have certainly been battlefield losses that have been concerning, we are looking at how to deal with, we we are planning and thinking about how to deal with it. right now with the assumption is the asad regime is not an imminent danger of failing. >> are we concerned they will threaten our coalition aircraft? >> if they are trying to operate in the same space then that possibility is clearly there. >> how are we thinking of responding to that? >> for either of you.

>> we are still in the early stages of what russia is doing. at the diplomatic level we are making very clear that deployments that are going to shore up the regime and draw out the conflict are counterproductive and destabilizing. if this is about russia trying to join the fight against i cell we did expect military capabilities to be consistent with that. >> how are we making it clear to russia? >> their number of channels, secretary kerry speaks to his counterpart regularly and has been making that point very clear. on the military side and i'm sure general can elaborate on this, if in fact it gets to the point where we see russia aircraft operating in that area, we would need to set up some d confliction mechanism so we can continue our counter is so campaign. >> we know how to do that.

my utmost concern is protection of our troops. we are going to make sure we have the ability to protect ourselves at all times. on occasion, searing aircraft are flying into spaces that are not too distant from where we are operating. we are able to make sure number one, we maintain vigilance and number two, we keep battle space, we work with a battle space in such a way that we avoid conflict and encounter if at all possible. >> i appreciate that has been our policy today. given the total failure of our ability to influence the outcome of the syrian civil war, are we

assessing whether we should take a different response with respect to a side? >> and engaging with the syrian troops? >> we continue to look and believe what would be the best solution is to get a political transition and get asad out of the government while retaining the government structures so you have a situation of chaos on the ground. russia with its relationship with the regime could contribute with helping to find that solution. that would be a valuable contribution from russia. >> there would be but there is no incentive for russia to do that. >> what is the incentive? >> they want more than anything a more stable syria. they're quite fearful of isil as well. they are just as concerned as we

are. so i think russia does have an interest in having a more stable syria and constructively for them to engage in work with us in other countries who would like to see a transition there. to come up with a diplomatic way to make that transition happened. >> i think that would be a positive outcome, it's not clear to me that we have seen any action in the last four and half years to suggest russia will play more positive role. thank you. >> thank you mr. chairman. >> general austin thank you for your service in both syria and iraq we have misplaced individuals that are part of the discussion. individuals moving into europe. in terms of numbers right now, this would be a question for

either of you to we have an update on the total number of individuals displace between syria and iraq that you can share with us this morning question mark. >> i believe it is around four million. it is a very large number. >> that would be from syria question mark. >> that would be from syria and iraq. there are more than 1 million refugees in turkey right now. hundreds of thousands if not 1 million refugees in jordan. the neighboring countries are already hosting large numbers of

and if there be a concern of military and our desire not to do more harm than good and what we provide. at the same time our expectation is weird doing operations throughout the area. we don't want to get into areas where we will cause more damage. right now we are challenged because you do not have the observers that would make it more efficient than what it is today. can you share what you are doing to try to improve that situation and how you would like to see that handled? >> we routinely use our intelligence, surveillance, assets, manned aircraft to make

sure we understand what is going on the ground before we employ weapons. we are diligent in our efforts there. not overly cautious to the point where we can't take advantage of opportunities to engage the enemy. we are mindful of the possibility of committing civilian casualties. >> is it fair to say were were not using any of our observers at all. we don't have any forward air observers on the ground. >> that is correct. our j tax are operating in the command centers. what that does is it allows the j tax to have visibility over what is going on in the target area and enables them to gain visibility of where the friendly troops are.

this is the biggest challenge we encounter throughout this battle space. in many cases the people we are trying to help don't have a handle on where their people are. it slows down our ability to engage. >> when you are training individuals in iraq and those who want to fight back and syria, we understand and i don't think there's anyone who doesn't think were not on schedule that's a fair assessment right. in terms of the number we want have trained for iraq you nationals and syrian nationals? >> i'm struggling with my sign. we would like to see a lot more forces available to be trained and we are encouraging the government of iraq to recruit those forces and bring them on board. what we have discovered, is that

those forces that have been trained by us are doing pretty well on the battlefield. >> is it fair to say one of the problems is that in our ability to discern which ones we can use and which ones we can't based on our review of their background, if they want to go in and fight aside it's eliminating them from being part of our team. >> that is correct sir. we are focused on encountering isil. >> thank you mr. chairman. both of you have testified that the process has resulted in far fewer fighters for us to train. does this mean we are turning away thousands of potential fighters?

>> i would say two things. one because the the authority we have focuses our program on fighting isil, there are a number of individuals who might like to receive training or equipment from the united states but they want to fight the regime. that is that is not the focus of our program. the other way the standards affect the recruiting pool is we want to make sure we have confidence in the people we bring into the program and we can give them equipment to trust them to use that appropriately, trust them to fight on the battlefield that is consistent with the arms conflict. in many cases people don't meet those standards or are younger or under the age of 18 for example. or or otherwise not medically qualified. >> is one of the assessments you are doing to review whether or not we are being unrealistic

regarding the kinds of factors we want you to take into consideration before they trained in individual? is that an individual you're looking at. >> we are looking at our recruiting and screening process all of the time. even before the first class was reinserted we were looking at how to speed up our recruiting process. we are looking at the criteria we have in place, our view is that right now or criteria is consistent with the requirements that congress gave us. if we were to loosen them we would absolutely have to come back to you all. >> that is my question is if you are seriously considering asking us to reevaluate the criteria that congress established. we are talking about what is going on the ground, i'm concern

- and you mention this in your testimony that you're looking at effective ways to counter icicles effective campaign. there are concerns of isil ability to move without having direct contact with isil. so taking action in our country and elsewhere, what are some of the effective ways you are countering isil messaging strategy? >> we are taking steps that are effective but we need to do more. we have been working closely with the number of countries in the coalition to identify communicators inside communities who have credibility with muslim populations. who will be able to lay out a compelling reasons why isil

theology is completely bankrupt. we have been working with governments to counter extremism, working to get our message is out about military successes. a lot is working with the private sector and civil society to get the right kinds of messengers to speak to these kinds of groups. it is a very challenging part of our effort and we need to do more there. >> i completely agree with that. i think the lone wolf phenomenon and the problem is one that we don't have a good handle on. i think you mentioned that you thought there were signs that iran would like to be more active in supporting syria and possibly because of the agreement and getting their hands on more money as sanctions get lifted. what are the signs that you have seen?

>> we know iran is already supporting syria, are you expecting they are going to put billions more into their support of a side? >> they are already supporting syria. you are exactly right. as things become more dynamic and syria and the regime is increasingly challenged, it is my assessment that iran will on to continue to shore them up in a greater way. >> it's not as though our country will stand by idly while iran proceeds with that kind of program. were not kind of program. were not just going to sit there. >> absolutely not we were focused on looking - we have

sanctions of our own to try to block arms going to countries. we have worked with folks in the coalition to, we will continue to use those tools to limit iran's ability to support the syrian. >> thank you. >> thank you mr. chairman for calling this important hearing. thank you secretary and general for taking time today to answer our questions it is deeply appreciated. it has been one year since pres. obama announced to the world that the united states would undertake a strategy to degrade and defeat isis to bring some sense of stability to iraq and lead to a negotiated end to the civil war syria.

it was my belief that presidents goal that he outlined to achieve that goal may have been beset from the outset from some flawed assumptions and contributions in a region of the world that is anything but easy to predict. this compounded by string of recent events is white may be time for us to reassess the way the united states abuse this conflict and chooses to respond to it. i think we need to start by prioritizing u.s. national security interests. general, what is your assessment of the most significant threat the conflict of syria and iraq posed to the security of u.s. citizens and our freedoms. in in other words, at the end of the

day, what needs to be accomplished for the u.s. government to fulfill and perform its constitutional duty to protect the people of the united states and our interest? >> thank you. this is a transnational threat. if left on checked it will continue to expand and try to take up an occupied territory and govern. in doing so, it will try to erase international boundaries, it will try to do a number of things that will cause tremendous pain and suffering throughout the region. it will also export terror. it will export terror to other parts of the worlds and particularly to places like our homeland. we see the beginnings of this and this lone wolf activity.

we also see, what we are concerned about individuals who go into iraq and syria and fight as a part of this effort and potential he returned back to our homeland and bring the skills back with him. it is a threat to us and i think the threat will continue to increase. >> the administration strategy is to create an environment in syria that will be likely to lead to a negotiated settlement of the civil war and results in power. in your opinion and given your knowledge of the region, what level of pressure would need to be leveraged by mr. aside and his supporters, especially other minority groups view some opposition groups as a threat to

their survival. how much investment would be needed from the coalition and countries to provide stability in hypothetical post a sod syria. >> i think a sod would only be willing to come to the table to negotiate a settlement if he feels like he is threatened. as things cnue to dop in >> >> he still has a dividend capability but he is losing capability every day. the wild card is when

countries like iran or potentially russia could possibly moving in to shore him up it could extend things for a period of time. id the post assad did buyer may consider a number of elements that will continue to be there it will continue to fight to. if there are remnants of isis they will continue so it will require a stability forced to make sure that whatever the transition in government looks like, it has the ability to do its job. >> which time has expired. >> i will start with the complement but then reform to express major concerns i was in kuwait and jordan and

turkey and is in the president's office there he said if obama did not start the obama campaign we would not be here today he wanted us to extend our thanks back to the administration and congress and also with u.s. forces with the kurdish pressure virga but never world's to baghdad to other parts of the of region from what began in july is not the window well and assyria the absence of success has spent very disastrous. of was not an original supporter of no-fly committed kerry install listening to general dempsey he was not a good idea and i

generally agreed to by the title went to lebanon to see 1 million refugees already is in lebanon, i became converted when he pushed the idea the humanitarian zone there is only 750,000 now there is 1.8 million almost at 2 million. the number is 4 million syrians have fled outside the country and and 7.8 million internally displaced and they could easily leave as well. the humanitarian zone would be number one dash difficult to do to the north with the benefit of that but then climbing as many as 8 million refugees some of whom could be very dangerous leaving the country we would have been wise to do when senator mccain suggested increase still would be wise to do that were the basic

needs would be met and they would be safe. but you said a second ago that you thought the war would go on for years. is that correct? >> yes, sir,. so with those chances of success are doomed battle of the bed is a compatible statement. but don't think those are compatible statements. it seems that the isil threat is experiencing geographically but therein is isil presence in libya and afghanistan largely disaffected taliban.

boko haram has pledged allegiance threatening united states there may be some presence in yemen? so the potential battlefield is expanding. and maybe we are is engaging in some new activity. i'd understand we have undertaken in air strikes to support trade assyrians in syria when they have been threatened? correct? >> correct. >> and we are prepared from a change of policy to undertake air strikes to protect them if they fall under threat of the assad regime? direct ice agree -- as correct. >> i agree but what is the legal predicate to take up

against forces of the assad regime? >> redetermination period is we can defend against isil against the a imf if the forces are attacked the president could exercise his article to rights under the constitution. >> if the u.s. is attacked. >> i meant our forces. >> i have not seen an interpretation of article to ever that will allow the united states to undertake action under article ii to protect others fighters you can for the u.s.. the president doesn't have to ask permission for that but to protect others? i have never seen an interpretation that would do this.

the last thing i will say they're a lot more i would get into but i worry that that, cruz is criticizing u.s. if we our editorial writers. we're acting like fans in a dusty answer is still have not authorized to this war. i believe it is carried out basically in violation of principles because it has not done what it is supposed to do. we can throw all the criticisms we want to produce 417 declared war based on a legal as a vacation that his speeches in my view. but congress has given of the article was responsibilities now we're told it will go on for years so my question to my colleagues is how long will we allow president raise eight -- an executive for the think we are afraid to touch this.

we'll have many more hearings and i'm sure we will have critical things to say but if we're not willing to do our constitutional duty, wiry here? we are not fans we're supposed the owners of the team. >> that is the question that wars are not one with paper resolution that is clearly lacking in our strategy rid now with the islamic state. general austin in particular all those they represent for your services of their service and want to speak briefly about the reports of efforts to cook the books and no u.s. acknowledged this him the problem with the ongoing investigations but you have an ongoing challenge as well as the command climate so what

steps retaking to confront those challenges on a daily basis? >> i emphasize to all support and is that not my expectation that i get candid and accurate intelligence assessments from my staff. are the also emphasize to my entire command that the welfare of my people is extremely important to me. eyecare brought my people and my expectation is they have a climate conducive to provide for a good healthy sound work retirement. >> cry would have to say as someone who recovery consumes products i was

surprised to hear the books are cooked because that does not paint a pretty picture how this campaign is going. moved now to syria as they have to include the air defense systems and battle tanks in addition to life-support systems that continue for a large and continued presence how many airstrikes are they conducting a daily basis right now in syria? >> overall 24 airstrikes and about one-third are in syria >> what efforts if any do we have to read the conflict

having hundreds of thousands with battle tanks and personnel carriers? >> we continue to look at the possibilities were for it encounters to make sure we have measures in place to insure that we don't have the inadvertent encounter with russian aircraft or syrian aircraft. >> there is no russian on a target? >> we have not had to encounter that yet but these are things from a tactical perspective we will continue >> the other main supporter is the revolutionary eight guard corps.

was there 100% of identification? >> they have to have certainty that the isil targets will be engaged. we can see what we're shooting at or engaging. this is not an issue. >> there was a report recently that russia offered to help of west remove the assad from power we believe he would follow his own accord. is that accurate? >> i don't believe that is inaccurate report but obviously that is from several years ago. i was not in the position at that time. >> day believe they could be

a partner in anyway? >> not really. we are not cooperating rainout. we are day conflicting based on the role of the shia militia but we're not cooperating with and have a productive role of iraq or syria so to rely on u.s. air power and forces to back up the efforts to defeat the islamic state that is like using gasoline to put out the fire. >> senator? i just want to touch on the

intelligence issue i consider this extremely grave and if we don't have reliable intelligence as policymakers we cannot make good policy and this keeps happening. it goes back to the bay of pigs, vietnam, the iraq war war, and these allegations are extremely serious. a understand we have investigation but as commanding officer i would hope you could be all over this have you ever orders or suggested or hinted to any intelligence command to sweeten the reports to

portray a more positive view of the success for iraq or syria? >> absolutely not. absolutely not. >> i hope you will stay off this time a better than any of us if you don't have good intelligence in autumn the goal is blind but if it is cooked you were going into a the battle with one hand tied behind your back. with progress here and there not now before the record i would like a very specific list of what you consider progress and where we are succeeding. generally it looks like a stalemate and we should have disinformation and it is in

your testimony but just one page. >> we will get that to you right away. >> assad and isis are evil twins brandon retrospect i was one who was reluctant at one to get involved in the longer be left assad there is has created a situation because isil did not even exist on refer started with these hearings but it has given them the enemy and an opportunity to make hay with the population so the strategy that ignores assad nurturing strips to only fight isil but not assad?

that is not a logical strategy part of that thinking is to modify your strategy according to a changed circumstances you mentioned to loses his capabilities everyday. i am sorry i ever that it every hearing since 2013. he is about to go in about to collapse. you did not say that today but we have to find us strategy to work with the russians if necessary because he is the irritant keeping this stirred up. and we will not just to feet it with air power but to rely on of the course and

then to root them out we have to have troops on the ground. clearly that is too little too late. >> we will need of greater commitment senator. if the iraqis make the commitment to the train and equip program. >> darr there -- are there signs? do they want mosso back? >> i think so. they want to stabilize anbar but then take a back mosul. i believe that. >> what is the overall strategy? >> they are for those units

into the training sites. >> would like specific numbers specifically. >> and now to plan ahead with which units go into the training pipeline that indicates the greater sense of urgency. it is clearly harder to have partners on the ground but the partnership of the air power with the coalition operating with them. your continuing to look for opportunities like that even as we review. >> i would join with senator mccain you need to rethink

the strategy of the no-fly or safe zone safe from his peril bonds. i hate when the chairman is right he has been talking about this for two years and i think he is right. it is impacting us in the rest of europe there should be a rethinking but in terms of air power to level of playing field because it doesn't seem to be a prospect now. thank you. >> give made a comment in your opening statement to focus time on a series of

questions in vendues said isis, the reason i have concern with the statement to characterize them as the jayvee team but they are a serious threat. that thank you for your service i know you are a part of the solution but when we say isis is not 10 feet tall there are a the richest threat group of this kind in human history. through this seizure of assets through the iraqi national bank i think the sec hundred $20 million. last week we had a memorial for 9/11. is estimated the cost $500,000. that equates 1609 elevens to

have the resources to strike that kind of damage. event we're at the front line for when we make progress and when we are not. so whenever time horizon does isis control more or less territory are is a greater or less influence? more or less? >> less given iraq. >> what is the net? we know they are expanding elsewhere with afghanistan and the taliban is converted we have operating in other areas.

>> it would be more. >> if you compare their economic resources, do they have more or less dollars to support the terrorist operations? >> but they make money off of kidnappings and into equity sales. >> i have said on a number of occasions bottle make to have that ability. >> that concept of a dashboard to ask you the same series of questions to see the trend. they seem to be winning to reach out to the homeland to

post a 15 year-old girl that was murdered. her mother was convicted of murder to be radicalized by the social media presence. have we stem the tide to radicalize internationally in the homeland? >> that is a trend it seems. social bbn they are trending in the wrong direction against the greatest superpower ever existed. going back to chemical weapons. do you think they have been

increased over the last 24 months? more or less? >> senator, given they had no apparent use of chemical weapons at the outset there is some indication. >> i am understand most of the problem has to do with the fact that iraq has failed to greengage this unique population. has the population been more or less inclined with the complex are are rising and iraq? >> with considerable of reach. >> there are now fighters' office sphere fact that we did not have fixed the

mickey think we are winning in the hearts and minds. >> i think we're bringing more into the fight. >> but to see what isil brings to the table but they do want to be included into the government of by iraq. initiative with though long-term strategy. i'm sorry for going over my time. >> i will submit for the record if an extraordinary speech of robert gates 1992 the danger of that type of intelligence a depression in a surprising.

>> let me think of witnesses >> thank-you. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

>> all persons having interested read the honorable supreme court give your attention. >> the roll -- roe v. wade. >> barbara madison is probably the most famous case coming out. >> it existed as a slave to people here on land for slavery.

was not legally recognized. >> to take presidential orders with the presence of federal troops and marshall's. >> we want to change the direction of society. >> they would have to have us search in then to see what was. so to grabher data if the hands to look at it thereafter. >> i cannot imagine a better way to bring the constitution to live to tell the story behind the great cases. >> boldly opposes the forced

internment of japanese-americans during world war ii. after being convicted for failing to report for relocation, he took his case all the way to the supreme court. >> quite often in our most famous decisions they were quite unpopular. >> without functioning of the democracy but to demonstrate what it means to live in a society because they believe in a rule of law. ii as they

address the united nations. get our complete schedule at c-span.org. >> next u.s. ambassador to the un, samantha power. she talked about the upcoming meeting in the general assembly later this month. she answered questions about russes support of the assad regime. this is just under one hour.

>> here we go. thanks for coming. this is the first visit to the air our guest starting with george h. w. bush. samantha power has said ambassadors to read from yale and fine art journalism and reported from bosnia and cause of though and she wrote for the al where she composed calling for u.s. government to do more by those that were being held by the bosnian serb forces. she won a pulitzer prize for her book.

in founding director for human rights policy. of but the sound effects that we spend a lot of money she was a special assistant to the president's senior director one of human-rights on the national security council staff. there also the parents of two young children and that ends the biographical portion of our law into mechanics. we are of the record no live blogging or tweeting or filing of any kind to give us time to listen to our guest. there is no embargo when the session ends. as regular attendees know if you would like to ask the

question sent to me a signal we will make some opening comments. >> thanks for coming. i thought what i would do is dedicates a few minutes of the top to talk about the upcoming general assembly with the 70th anniversary of the united nations and more heads of state are defending the rehabs seen in looking more than ever before of course, the pope is also visiting with the prime minister and obama a bad time to be driving on

the east side of manhattan. because it is the anniversary or perhaps the secretary general enters the last year and to see election season starting for a whole host of reasons there is soul-searching as people reflect on the year that has come before but this year with it is more pronounced than usual. on the one hand the fact coming together again reminds people were river last year. and when president obama was there when the secretary general used the high-level gathering to mobilize. we were passing around charts to show 1 million

infections if the curve was not bent in this time last year close to 700 new cases. in touche show of a small startup cost and a lot of people unfortunately died of ebola it is an example of the international community building in the important way. that has hardened not just the security council of the of p5+1 because you have a country violating international norms the security council comes

together with more and more sanctions regime to call on that country in then it goes to the table to secure an agreement on behalf of security to cut off the pathway to a nuclear weapon so there is a sense it is the exemplar of what the international company can do if it is prepared to reinforce its words. is then with the coast of turkey this comes on the heels and off of north

africa in the european union -- union coming and looking for an authorization to take the steps to stem the flow in a responsible way. ended is clear that the plight from burma and others to put everything on the line and choose trust nefarious now works to promote themselves and their families. you need a more vivid testament that there is no more vivid testament than that and raises questions of kurdish sharing and to the

need but to briefly preview what he will be doing when obama travels to europe for the general assembly the first-aid he arrives he will participate in the summit in which the sustainable development goals are embraced from the previous millennium development goals called the post 2015 agenda. and for the first time and agenda that interweaves the environmental agenda to curb car bin emissions into the more developments economic agenda as an important set

of goals and targets but obama will join others to raise those schools to lay out an agenda of the implementation because they will take us another 15 years sanders and with the unexpected defects to measure themselves in their performance so with report cards on malaria, etc.. mid-50s goals are realized

-- by the demands. in with peacekeeping with us a conflict it used to be the europe -- european peacekeepers is indeed said

25,000 peacekeepers. and those numbers are higher than in the '90s. so they are 6% you have a situation basically developing countries doing of peacekeeping ended is extremely important those capabilities and but to fester that those be enhanced. with those capabilities of troops on the ground. to see what is coming at them.

it is of a real liability. in touche shares something similar last year to work with the secretary general and it is a pledging conference. and to make the announcement but leslie something on everything in -- everyone's mind and to convene a summit on counterterrorism. and now where 60 countries are up part of that then the sequel to what obamacare did last year where he chaired a

meeting to secure the passage of a u.n. security council resolution to create a new set of obligations for member states to share information am prevent the flow in the third segment says countering violent extremism. and with religious leaders and civil society and of course, in order to ruth capture people with the military conflict community action is indispensable. this is the agenda but it is one that's the president is

convening. the last one. >> this is really my last one. >> just go word about what we have been doing though last couple weeks. it is a campaign where you when women are convening a head of state meeting 20 years since the beijing summit. and many that will be participating in this conference in naturallyspeaking up against harassment and corruption is every day of eating up to this event to profiled one political prisoner but here

is the charge we have a visual event indeed each woman's picture is of in the office side of the united nations with heads of states walk-in they can see the prisoners that are profiled so we're trying to use secure the release of the women that have spent in jail for some time. >> we will go right to my colleagues.

>> for the first time in 10 years obviously the number one issue is the fed has tamped down a bit in syria and if there are troops there how does the united states handle this given the fact they are opposed to any kind of intervention that will stabilize assad? when you think about there really is shares in interest to prevent the creation of a power vacuum where isis could prove with even more

chaos in syria. >> i will address the assad question first. is a myth that assad and his labors have been directed to establish a safe haven i believe "the new york times" documented a whole series of transactions with the syrian regime. all the assessments show it in terms of the attraction the ongoing presence with the ongoing tactics to retain power and to a

resting peaceful protesters. but as my british colleagues said every barrel bomb that syria and assad drops is it -- is to ijssel. so to make clear from the beginning with a robust coalition to defeat ice all -- to treat teeeighteen and moderates and hospital says equally worthy targets is a perilous approach. the shared interest is what

we share with russia but the approach of supporting a regime that helps kill the rise of teeeighteen is the approach and it is not the approach we will take. >> and of the russian military in the diplomatic fear in the russians have suggested they are not wedded to any particular personality or '02 assad. in your experience, has there ever ben a serious proposal to work with the

united states in which assad gets power? the russians have seriously propose that and lastly, i can the prime minister to float the notion of military talks over the situation. is that useful step to take this juncture? to know that there would be looking at the islamic state >> i will say a couple of things about russia's posture russia and has

embraced from the beginning calling for the transition of a governing body by mutual consent. on the one hand it gives the government and the assad in regime a say what the governing body looks like but a veto as well there is no scenario that they would agree choose something adding that is what russia signed on to but i would note prior to some of the news reports that have stepped up military supplies cover that we give the council have agreed a presidential statement supporting the professional on foray which include into the statement with the

negotiations to give rise to rue the traditional body so there was adjudication anjous signal that to engage and with other stakeholders in the region and. to receiver what kind of flesh to the governing body to the capital with the regime politicians to get a sense of the opposition. that is what i have is the -- have described is the

investment of the political process. they claim not was standing in this apparent defeat - - infusion of hardware the that is why we are in gauging with them at the highest levels to convey it is not tenable and to stress again there is no military solution and if then dagos all in on the of military side that will prolong the conflict to exacerbate the placement enhance the risk of further chemical weapons use. and overtime that is the

message up to this point in to the extent of our dialogue to read diplomatic. >> but they oppose the military. >> right now talking is a diplomatic channels this gimmick there is a story "new york times" this morning about a possible meeting between president obama and putin talking about syria. >> i cannot speak to the general assembly schedule but we will announce any meetings we have as soon as we have scheduled them. >> in to block the assistance in that region?

possess something we heard something about? >> i know there is a specific shipment of what you are referring to? >> and the european problem is focused on congress but both republican vince and democrats are voicing their opinion on the administration that the strategy is now working. to save recently he thought there was the stalemates ailment increasing calls for a commitment on some type of

safe so or something to change the equation. to be a part of the coalition but with a change of policy to stop the exodus of the advance and whether tiering gauge with or directly against. came to demonstrate those efforts at the moment? >>. >> with so horrors of the

ground but so many others that have suffered and are more visible because they are descending into european cities, there on the hill a great plurality of views on what should be done. and they really run a budget gimmick to have the that is true the other question of resettlement of refugees and and the entire day isil campaign if you see something comparable. there is an urgency with of quotas and 3/7 to cut off the problem at the fifth source so those who have moved than be taken care of

so the system does not overload but recall in the security council again you have an approach that michael alluded to by russian officials that says with the effect to double down that has caused this problem. the core differences what those root causes are in and the appropriate and tailored solutions the we are very interested in the rate one dashes in the wake of the iran deal with a positive feeling of what community

can yielded new york. we have to ruth get past the fundamental disagreement with the cause of terrorism is and how to combat. those divisions are not listed david fact more meetings and more heartbreak it has not than zero dash changed that fundamental calculus of those who support the regime. >> embassador, and with the thought that bill whole world is watching. what you hear about the presidential race?

ahead among those diplomats what are you hearing? >> i am thinking of a diplomatic you answer. [laughter] i have not done a straw poll but but my guess is that the i unprecedented viewership with saw modest share comes to other countries' ambassadors watching a debate. there is more interest at this stage of the election in more colorful auspex of

of primaries if there is a deep interest in who runs america. and will will hear more but until they settle you don't hear about specific individuals but just hope cooler heads will prevail to exercise leadership in accordance with international norms to build a multi lateral coalition you hear more in the affirmative with an appreciation for what president obama has tried to do. in to invest in u.s. lung dash un peacekeeping and with those investments.

and if there is of a difference you made it clear juror double down but notice to have diplomatic meetings it is possible for an optimistic to say they're doing two things at the same time maybe it is worth exploring. is that the nature of a warning or a final assessment? is there anything on a the diplomatic track? >> we will continue is the aggressive way that secretary kerry has been at it to ring gauge russia diplomatically. the same thing to do with my russian counterpart.

because we mean what we say. there has to be a political solution there is no military solution. so with the infusion and then to continue the dialogue and when day articulate forcefully but also to take note we have an interest to defeat isil and as the president said teeeighteen does pose a threat to get the president's attention. this is extremely important in addition to collectively figuring out how to bring about solutions for its own

sake that is overtimed to have a movement that'd is in a part of syria. i am not passing judgment at all but i think some of the of comments that senior herb leadership has made suggest that the military approach requires more support and health plan and fundamentally we believe that track to send a different message to assad your country will be destroyed if you don't see fit to engage in negotiations in a manner that produces a transition that will not cause everyone

to put their guns down but the goal is to get a critical mass of factors to embrace of saddam and then we're all in a better and stronger position against isil. >> how concerned are you on developments of northern ireland? to use the a u.s. role? with the president coming next week it is hard to remember with more provocation and more problems. widely expect that to be a train wreck? >> i will take the china question first.

but as everyone has long said, it is a complex relationship for every day whether south sudan or anti- teeeighteen foreign fighter treasurer the peacekeeping sonnet - - summit where china has whites -- largely contributed over the last five years we're working with china on issues but at the same token with the cyberthreats and freedom of navigation and human-rights one of the most important features are the chinese women that host this event. you will see plain spoken comments and not to ruth

paper over the problems on which three disagree where we hope to be in the better position where the positions are he said that things are so troubling. and was served us well on areas of disagreement one for those to come up on this visit it is extremely hard to bring gauge and with an extremely powerful leader of a country of the global stage. so that kind of dialogue is

something you want to do take advantage of to a block the process and with northern ireland it is worrying but not to elaborate but traditionally someone who comes originally from ireland, the united states role is always welcomed in a situation now where it is politics as usual. to take responsibility and fundamentally would never nudging the united states can do from behind the scenes ultimately doesn't have to be settled among those parties of the ground. >> if you have more specific details i can help parents are any questions. >> with senator jervis said

the obama administration said the country should be ready to except 100,000 assyrians and also called the emergency preparation is that to go directly from the program? to make before that question but up to air this point the united states has received 17,000 referrals and the number we have been able to resettle is insufficient we will need to explain that significantly the and i

would note over the life of the obama administration briard resettling 140,000 iraqi refugees. it is the up and down program to make it -- significant improvements every kid welcome people in desperate need with security measures in place to have confidence the people don't take a vantage of the program. you are doing something empathetic goal. the system in place has ben strengthen over time.

it has ben significant to break through that. with that overall number we are continuing to reassess that. this administration made clearer there are diverse views on the hill with the refugee program nassau hall and traditionally to come to a consensus with those of the hill. it is just picking up and we welcome the proposal and will consider that a carefully to make sure that collectively whether 10,000 or a higher number that all of us who have the experience of working with refugee families that the

american people view themselves as messengers for the kind of country we have spent over time because too often in the political season the forces that our unwelcoming toward people coming from other countries and i think most americans have the experience that great pride the riyal field in times of great need. >>. >> it has given far more than any other country with a appeals would thus both boon preference to states

and countries to better integrate them when they move wholesale united states is spending four per $1,000,000,000.111 in the u.s. and appeals are woefully underfunded and two weeks ago and to send a text message to say the food rations would be cut off. that is more of a routine occurrence with the pope's visit also for the general assembly touche due to leverage our contributions

to mobilize from those who have not been as generous as united states up to this point with of foundations there is a lot of people right now that it is moved what they're seeing inside syria and the neighboring areas. there is a long tradition with the non governmental actors and is committed to use his pulpit and additional resources. >> to the open letter to separate - - administration respond then

there is talk of another resolution. would the u.s. veto from the past and i was thinking that perhaps prime minister netanyahu was open to negotiation? >> i cannot speak too hypothetical spee coz in my world every day initiatives are floated per right now with the escalating tensions to urge restraint with the preservation of the of historic status quo. but in terms of without a

text it is hard to say but what the president has always said anything to undermine israel's security and we oppose something like that. were the resolution to put forward, not something to read finance of causes of the middle east two-state solution. last week there was an effort successfully to raise the palestinian flag and the status quo is not tenable. but there are note -- no short cuts either this will

be contentious issues that the parties have not been able to get past at this point. with the depth with the iran chapter with the israeli officials how to deal with the others peretz with the support for terrorist or other forms of threats it is those discussions that will also rise. >> rabil do some negotiating. if you told us to our regular time we have to keep our deal. >> last week in the house of

representatives a bipartisan group introduced a resolution recognizing the united states targeting of christians and other minorities as genocide to have international legal implications. certainly it is an issue near and dear to your own heart. would assure response generally? everyone wants to save the defeat of isil but is there a more common cause they and other big picture issues? >> i think at the united nations there is widespread unity. via this to say there is no one in any meeting to defend

what teeeighteen is doing and there is broad unity natalie true combat but the recognition to be a military component to that. having said that, and obama will say this, there has been insufficient progress since last year with information sharing and changing laws to prevent travel from those two babies contemplating joining i sold -- isil so there is consensus with the of gravity of the threat and isil has asserted its tentacles since last year in new parts of the world even

more countries coming forward and wanting to work together how to bring about isil defeat. but it will be extremely important for every country to be in full compliance for more countries to contribute to the training and a the military effort in iraq and syria so it is of a question to move beyond the consensus because it will be a long campaign. on the genocide question when the president decided to intervene militarily himself also in fact, the specter of genocide. no question christians and the lgbt and if you find

yourself a minority of a certain type, that has proven a death sentence for many. or a displacement sentence. having said that although sunni also is a hardship if they descend whole tribes have been wiped out for dissenting. although isil targets a specific minority groups but the monster is ideology extends beyond to anyone who does not share though world view. >> we only have time for one more i apologize in events as people are still waiting.

>> i want to ask with a lot of anticipation could you tell us about the u.s. vatican relationship in ways that are not obvious with those common priorities that the president and the pope have? when you talk to the white house they talk about the possibility how transformational that could be with public life and the complexity welcoming someone not doing it like you normally would it is so difficult to predict. can you talk about how you do this and how you take advantage of this summit? >> i will be more modest in my response is sounds like you have done a lot of

thinking about this. i had the privilege both of getting to be part of the administration will coming of pope but also speaking to the united nations of thinking about how is the pope moving global public opinion on the issues that our important to the american people and collective good? i would note we are in a crunch time with of climate today and climate's negotiations. through a series of bilateral engagements from the president himself in to follow upon the work of john podesta, the united states

is in a very strong position to lead by example. but not all major players are where we would like to see them and the pope has way beyond his catholic flock. so his message in the york will be extremely important to help all of us in the international community tried to shake more significant steps to save our planet to put it mildly. but also to note to the refugee crisis is something he himself has spoken so eloquently on in the past with the globalization of indifference. his trip one of the first act to meet with migrants

and political speeches was on the migrants out of north africa and here he is visiting at a time the appeal is underfunded as a contested issue as people grapple how to balance security concerns so we're very eager to hear what the pope says and to there is a nice convergence of the timing of the trip and those that we need to establish to deal with the acute needs but the 60 million refugees we will need more hands on deck and hopefully the pope can use his clout to get us

there. >> thank you

[inaudible conversations]

>> the committee on oversight and natural resources come to order without objection reauthorize to declare a recess at any time. we're pleased to have both committees year to recognize the chairman on national resources my colleague from of utah for five minutes in his opening statement. >> thank-you it is nice to be here review over one year ago we begin remediation on the gold king mind that led to 3 million gallons of orange crop to go down the

rivers from colorado to new mexico utah and even in arizona. the agency was aware as early as june 2014 that a pullout was possible however epa decided not do test the pressure instead they dug around it with heavy machinery. if the individual or private company had done this the epa would make sure there was hell to pay. . .