american manufacturing. then he said it's good to remember the fact there were some folks who were willing to let this industry die. he did not name specific names but did say specific folks. finally in a sign of diversifying america, more people not willing to accept the standard racial definitions used bit census bureau when the 2010 asked people to classify themselves by race, almost 22 million people went beyond the standard labels. that's about one in 14 americans. unpublished data from census bureau showed they wrote in terms arab, haitian, multi-racial. back with more. >> naval secretary, our guest this sunday on q&a, on c-span radio. our guest will take about his military career and political career and his role as the 75th navy secretary. he'll describe his goals for the

u.s. navy. he wants to make half of all the energy used by the navy, including the u.s. marines, originate from nonfossil fuel sources by the year 2020. ray maves, navy secretary, this sunday 8:00 p.m. eastern on q&a here on c-span radio. welcome back to washington today here on c-span radio. in just a moment we're going to hear from syria's ambassador to the united nations. the government reasserting control of the damascus suburbs after beating back rebels at the capital gates. all of this ahead of the push at the united nations for a resolution calling for president assad to give up power. western and arab diplomats descended on head cars to back a security resolution to call for assad to delegate powers to his deputy also to diffuse ten-month

uprising against his family's rule. arab league secretary urging council to take what they call rapid and decisive action all of this happening in syria has been called a timber box which could lead to potential civil war. some reactions at the united nations but begin with secretary of state hillary clinton who traveled from washington to new york to address this issue. now in the past few days the regime's security forces have intensified their assault, shelling civilian areas and homes in other cities. this weekend the arab league suspended its monitoring mission pointing to the regime's in trangisence. why are they here before the security council?

because they are seeking support for the international community for a negotiated peaceful political solution to this crisis and a responsible democratic transition in syria. we all have a choice. stand with the people of syria and the region or become complicit in the continuing violence there. the united states urges the security council to back the arab league's demand that the syrian government immediately stop all attacks against civilians and guarantee freedom of peaceful demonstrations. new orleans with the arab league's plan syria must release arbitrarily detained citizens, return its military and security forces to their barracks. allow full access to monitors,

humanitarian workers and journalists. we urge the security council to back the arab league's call for an inclusive syrian-led political process to effectively address legitimate aspirations and concerns of syria's people, conducted in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation and extremism. now, i know that some members here may be concerned that the security council could be headed toward another libya. that is a false analogy. syria is a unique situation that requires its own approach tailored to the circumstances there. that is exactly what the arab league has proposed, a path for a political transition that would preserve syria's unity and

institutions. this may not be exactly the plan that any of us ourselves would have designed. i know that many nations feel that way but it represents the best affects and neighbors to chart a way forward and deserves a chance to work. i think it would be a mistake to minimize or understate the magnitude of the challenge syrians face in trying to build the rule of law and civil society on the ruins of a brugs and failed dictatorship. this will be hard. the results are far from certain. success is far from guaranteed. but the alternative, more of assad's brutal rule is no alternative at all. >> the comments of secretary of state hillary clinton, she spoke in new york traveling from washington to attend united

nations as security council takes up a resolution aimed at syria. joining us live with background and perspective on all of this is the author of the book "in the lions den." thank you very much for being with us. >> my pleasure. >> first of all, what specifically will the u.n. take up and will this security resolution, if it does pass, make any difference? >> the resolution offered, drafted by the person countries and arab countries as well essentially trying the arab ling's four-point plan for a transition in syria, which dialogue has to take place in two weeks, a national unity government formed in two months, authorities handed over to his deputy, who is vice president, to receive that transition toward democratic system in syria through free and fair

elections. it's a big project. unfortunately until now russia has indicated -- >> we talked to emily slaughter from princeton university this weekend and she indicated the country is facing the cusp or brink of civil war. would you put it in those terms? >> i think definitely an armed insurrection in a number of places in the country. eastern syria and so on. whether it's a full blown civil war, it's closer to that in areas of homes where you have different communities, a lot of tension fighting each other. it's not there yet. we're heading in that direction if the regions crack down on the protest movement and the opposition continues. i think that's the reason why you've seen this strong show of force at the security council today. >> let me ask you, because we know up until this point russia

has opposed this resolution. secretary of state clinton working with france and great britain to try to craft a resolution moscow would not block. what do we have to do, western nations have to do to get moscow and russia on board? >> i think what you saw today was an effort at diplomatic shaming and perhaps indirectly arm twisting by saying the security council needs to take action by endorsing a plan by a regional body. the head of the arab league emphasized this. there's another way to get the russians to move and doesn't seem to happen this time. you trade with them on an issue. what would they be willing to trade and what would we be willing to trade is far from clear. doesn't seem to be on the table either. >> your book "in the lions' den, washington's battle with syria,

what's the message in your book? >> i was in syria eight years and spent some time around the assad regime. in the end president assad, i walk away from the experience by learning the regime was struggling to deal with its demographic issues. that's what's driving the protest movement at the moment. it was unable to reform. the only time assad ever did change in his confrontation with the united states over the last 10 years was when he was placed into a dilemma. the major dilemma, the current uprising was his withdrawal from lebanon in april 2005. unless our diplomacy focuses on these dilemmas very hard to get him to move. ultimately concerning the current crisis, it might involve some sort of intervention as well. >> let me ask you about the president's state of the union address because you also have highlighted this in a number of essays you've written.

the president said i have no doubt that the assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change cannot be reversed and that human dignity cannot be denied. as you hear those words from the president singling out a country in his state of the union address, what's your reaction? >> i think it was no mistake. i think also the obama administration realizes the assad regime is on its last legs. the question is many people ask, well, can assad hold on. he can hold on. depends on what holding on means. what we'll likely see in the coming months the decreased penetration of the state in the did he graphic area of syria, areas of syria falling outside of government control with assad maintaining control and regime maintaining control of the military but large pockets of

the country, in the north, south, perhaps eastern falling out of his power. you have a civil or proxy war in syria as different factions vie for what comes after. >> let's talk about the short-term, next couple of days what we're looking for in new york at the united nations and longer term whether or not we could see any other type of action, including military action in syria. >> well, what we're going to see here in the coming days is an effort to get the russians to sign onto the security council resolution and the arab league deal if they veto that, which seems likely. it is going to send a signal to the syrian people, as well as a lot of other parties in the region, that they have to take

matters into their own hands. i think it becomes increasingly less likely you're able to handle the conflict in a peaceful way. i think secretary clinton was very adamant about this in speaking to the security council. >> and in the long-term? >> in the long-term, i think that no matter what's passed tomorrow we're heading into a protracted conflict that even in the event president assad does fall in the next year, the battle for control of syria will go on for some time. in that you will see all of the regional struggles between turkey and iran and the arab gulf states and perhaps united states and other european powers playing themselves out in syria. >> let me ask another question, is it safe to be in the country?

>> no, it's not. i think that's the reason why the embassy in damascus has encouraged americans to leave. as the regime gets more desperate, it could -- as its control of certain areas diminishes, the potential for harm to americans in syria goes up. i would urge, as someone who lived in the area for a long time when it was safe, i would urge you to think twice or three times. >> fellow for near east policy, new book "in the lines' den" an eyewitness account to washington's battle with syria. thank you for joining us on c-span. >> thank you. >> this is washington day on c-span radio. reaction to ambassador of the united nations had this to say earlier in new york. >> mr. president, this unbridled tendency by some foreign states to interfere in our internal and

external affairs through various means is neither sudden nor. it has systematically occurred since the acards, let alone the infinite reports and occupation of arab lands. mr. president, we all note that the international, legal framework in whose parameters state's work is based on respect for sovereignty and noninterference in internal affairs, these two principles were consecrated in the chart of the united nations and not article 52 of the charter to which the doctor referred. also in article 8 of the charter of the league of arab states, in

this context we stress the exclusive government in peace and security in protecting its citizens from acts of destruction and sabotage undertaken by armed forces, by armed elements, sorry, and not peaceful demonstrators. in accordance with syrian law as well as international agreements to which syria is a part to, including international covenant on civil rights. instead of respecting these principles of international law and in the context of feverish attempts to enter veer in the internal affairs of syria, the french resolution against syria, some of whose officials have suddenly fallen in love with the syrian people after an emotional hibernation towards our people

for centuries. those i say foolishly dream of the return of colonialism and germany through resolutions and concocting new terms to justify interference into syria and internal affairs through misleading the public opinion exactly -- mimicking exactly what they did when 130,000 civilians were killed and a million iraquis were killed using the pretext of looking for armed destruction and under the pretext of promoting democracy searching for weapons of mass destruction which are not there, destruction of afghanistan under the pretext of fighting terrorism and establishing clandestine prisoners and detention centers in abu ghraib under the context of freedom.

>> heard through a translator on the u.n. resolution taking aim at syria. we'll have more on this story in the coming days as the united nations including security council led by u.s., france and great britain trying to place sanctions and clamp down on the situation in syria, an estimated 5400 people killed in recent months, more than 200 in the last couple of days according to associated press. this is washington today, u.s. intelligence and its agencies believe iran is prepared to launch a terror attack in the united states in response to perceived threats from america and its allies. that's the announcement today from the director of national intelligence. he said so in prepared testimony on capitol hill. "the washington post" writing about the story indicating mr. clapper, alleging the iranian plot to assassinate the saudi ambassador in washington that was uncovered last year reflects an aggressive new willingness within the upper ranks of the

islamist republic to authorize attacks against the united states. here is more on the testimony on capitol hill by james clapper, questioned by senator dianne feinstein, chair of the senate intelligence committee. here is more from the exchange earlier today with the focus on iran and israel. as i mentioned in my opening statement, i think 2012 is going to be a critical year for convincing or preventing iran from developing a nuclear weapon. in sunday's "new york times" magazine, israeli journalist ronanbergman wrote, and i quote, after speaking with many senior israeli leaders and chiefs of the military and the intelligence, i have come to believe that israel will, indeed, strike iran in 2012. how do you -- end quote. how do you assess that likelihood and the response from iran if that happens that might

be forthcoming? >> well, the -- our hope is that the sanctions, particularly those which have been recently implemented would have the affect of inducing a change in the iranian policy toward their apparent pursuit of a nuclear capability. obviously this is a very sensitive issue right now and we're doing a lot with israelis, working together with them. and of course for them, this is, as they have characterized it, an existential threat. this is an area we're very, very concerned about and we'd be pleased because of the sensitivities, we'd be pleased to discuss some greater detail in closed session. >> the vice-chairman and i have

just met this past week with the director. that is a classified meeting. we i think, and let me ask this of you, director petraeus, i think the world has to know what's happening, it's one of the reasons that i believe that the iaea -- they're in pakistan now bush really must make transparent and public what they find there, what they see there. so that we know for sure what is happening. i think the world is entitled to that. particularly when you have a situation, where one country views this as an existential threat. it believes it's their survival, they're determined not to let it happen. to really get the correct picture on what is happening. i think it's important. do you have a view on this? >> i do, madam chairman.

let me address clapper's remarking about tagging you and the vice chairman for your kind words on the accomplishments of this past year. some of which obviously were of enormous significance and thanks to both of you as well for your comments on the agency's efforts to keep the committee fully and currently informed. we work very hard to be accessible to you. i have personally, myself and the deputy and the 1256, we think the facts reflect that. we have worked hard, also, to shorten the time frame from event to notification when it comes to congressional notifications. we have increased those over the last five months on or so. like you, i met with the head when he was here, part of an ongoing dialogue, included

conversations that i had with prime minister netti ynetanyahu. i think it's very important to note the as the article did in the "new york times" the growing concerns that the we have about the continued activities by iran along a path that could, if the decision is made, as director clapper noted in his opening statement if the decision is made to pursue the construction of a nuclear device. as both of you noted israel does this see possibility as an existential threat to their country. i think it's very important to keep that perspective in mind as indeed, a analysis is carried out. as you noted in the iaea inspectors are in iran right now. i believe their past report was

a very accurate reflection of reality, of the situation on the ground. i think that's the authoritative document when it comes to informing the public of all of the countries in the world of the situation there -- iran is supposedly, reportedly trying to be more open, at this particular time, perhaps to reassure country as it feels the increase bite of the new sanctions. of the central bank of iran sanctioned and the reduction in the purchase of oil from its key customers. i look forward to seeing what that public report will provide this time, believing, again, that it will be, again the authoritative open-source document on the program that iran is pursuing in the nuclear form. >> the comments of the general

david petraeus. he was joined by james clapper. taking questions from the senate committee. as the hearing got under way, james clapper signaled that the u.s. is seeking to avoid a violent confrontation with iran. it's monitoring the possibility of a preemptive strike by israel. this is available online at washingtonpost.com. allen furman is described as one of the least popular person on hill. he's retiring after nearly 20 years as the senate apartmepar tarren inspect 1989 we sat down with him about the jobs and the

responsibilities. part of our video library. check it out at c-span dot organize. here's part of that conversation. >> mr. president, for a few weeks -- >> the presiding officer of the senate varies sometimes from hour to hour. does that mean you're the primary source of parliamentarian. >> the responsibilities of senators generally are, it's so -- so varied, they really are not expect to be experts in parliamentarian services. we're there to provide expertise as presiding officers change hour by hour. >> back to your job, i forgot to ask, who apoints you to the job? >> i'm appointed by the secretary of the senate. >> and you'll serve at his

pleasure is that how it works? >> parliamentarian serves at the service of the secretary. >> what is one question that you'll get during a standard legislative day? >> the questions that are visible on the floor on the senate as well as those are not. in terms of the former, we get a lot of questions about the amendme amendments. that's either then pending or soon be pending on floor. in terms of the questions that we get in my office, questions of committee jurisdiction i would say predominant. we' we must choose one committee and one committee only. a great time in our office is spent in dealing with draft of bills and where they -- the committee in which they would refer and advising staff on what to include and what to delete if

in fact they have a preference in terms of committee referrals. >> do you generalize? for example, do you look to the house, do the rules evolve simultaneously? did we borrow from the house of commons, the house of lord, that kind of thing? >> the senate tries not to look anywhere but itself. having said that, jefferson's manual was prepared when he provided over the senate. it's there in essence to form something of a historical backdrop to our procedures. beyond that, the procedures in the senate are unique to the senate. >> is there a single volume that you would go to for specific precedence? >> this is a volume called senate procedure that was written by dr. floyd riddick,

the most recent edition was published in 1991. we're currently at work updating that volume. >> alan frumin will be stepping down after 20 years in that job, the parliamentarian. check out all of our programming at c-span.org. on february 28th the u.s. supreme court hears the oral argument about a case whether the torture victim protection act allows suits by torture victims against individuals. you'll hear it on saturday on cnn-span historic oral argument. from 200 he the consolidate case. >> if i use my way of example of the arrest of the individual who's the convicted in the cia

shooting, this is an individual who's arrested by fbi agents in pakistan, in 1997. under the ninth circuit approach, obviously, this individual could not be arrested by fbi agents as a category call matter. but under the approach of respondent, the federal courts would have to inquire under the circumstances surrounding the arrest and inquire speckly into the whether the government of pakistan consented to the arrest by fbi agents in pakistan in 1997. >> what the government and petitioners sosa want the court to believe, having gone through the trouble expressing to the world and to the people in terms of -- that we would as a nation, enforce the law of nations that then the congress skrus didn't do it. because they basically didn't do anything else to force the torts and violation of the laws