as a base from which to attack the united states of america. with regard to our efforts to degrade al qaeda, we're making great progress, so-called ct. that is, counterterrorism, the use of special forces and the like to go after individuals who make up the leadership of al qaeda and of the taliban. on the issue of counterinsurgency, that is where we clear, hold and build and transfer. we're making progress not as rapidly as we are on the other front. in his release, pointing out that we need two things that we're working on very hard and making some progress. one, pakistan and safe havens and, two, governance in afghanistan. >> all of this is so complicated. >> it is. >> after ten years, mr. vice president, can you even say straight whether we're winning or losing? doesn't the american public deserve to know where we stand? >> up with thing i've never been accused of is speaking straight.