the final thing that we know, and no one i think more than jim dobbins is responsible for us knowing this, is that the rapid withdrawal of american support in this time will be one of the most critical factors in afghanistan's failure. if afghanistan does not maintain some degree, strong degree of international support through this transitional period, the increase in likelihood that afghanistan will become more fragile, conflict, unstable goes up traumatically. so that leads me to my final point, which is that amazingly i think in afghanistan and the incredible work that has been done to put in a strategic partnership agreement with afghanistan and the united states to negotiate into the incredible display of international commitment that was demonstrated in chicago and tokyo in december and in istanbul in the summer of 2012 when the entire world to study together after a decade of incredible investment and said we'd be leaving afghanistan, and we are going to keep going because this investment is making a difference, and it's that important to the world. and we can't lose sight of

it will, the panel will include four experts including ambassador marc grossman who is jim dobbins predecessor aspects representative. and it will be moderated by andrew wilder, who heads the center for south and central asia here at the u.s. institute of peace. the second panel will be on the future of media in afghanistan. again four distinguished panelists and chaired by david ensor as moderator from head of voice of america. we hope that you can conclude from today's program that afghanistan still matters to the united states. that america's national security interests are best served by the emergence of a stable and prosperous afghanistan. that this objective can still be achieved and that, what has been accomplished in afghanistan over the last decade offers some ground for optimism that we can achieve this objective. for afghanistan has made great progress over the last 12 years in health, education, women's rights, and economic development. and you will hear about that today in these remarks and panelists. and you will also hear about the political progress that the afghan people have

panelists include ambassador marc grossman, jim dobbins's process as special representative. it will be moderated by andrew wilder, who heads the panel for south and central asia here at the u.s. institute of keys. the second panel will be on the future of media in afghanistan. four distinguished panelists, chaired by david and sir-- endsor as moderator, hear from voice of america. we hope you can conclude that afghanistan still matters the , that america's national security interests are best served by the emergence of a stable and prosperous afghanistan, that this object it can still be achieved, and that what has been accomplished in afghanistan over the last decade offers some grounds for optimism that we can achieve this objective. afghanistan has made great progress over the last 12 years in health, education, women's rights, and economic development. todayll hear about that in these remarks and panels. you'll also hear about the political process -- progress that the afghan people have made. a presidential election is scheduled for this coming april 5. for the first ti