troops are serving in afghanistan than iraq. this month marks one year since general stanley mcchrystal took command of the naked-let international security assistance force. the news from afghanistan recent weeks has been largely negative. the increase in casualties among u.s., coalition, and afghan security forces.

than that of troops in afghanistan. since december, 2009, there have been more armed securityy personnel working in afghanistan than iraq. contractor personnel are at the hands of risk of snurnlts in afghanistan. from 2009 to 2010, 260 contractors have been killed in afghanistan compared to 200 u.s. troops. p.s.e. employees working for d.o.d. are 4 1/2 times more llkely to be killed than uniformed personnel. more contractor personnel, 188 people, were killed providing convoy security than any other type oo security. regardless of how one analyzes the number of armed contractors working for d.o.d., pmpt s.e.'' play a critical role in afghanistan. many observers say that the reliance on contractors was not planned and was executed pithout a clear strategy, exacerbating the risks in use armed contractors on the battlefield. this unprecedented reliance on p.s.e.'s raises some fundamental questions. first, what are the benefits and risks of using p.s.e.'s in military operations? two, to what extent should contractors be used in contingency operations? and three, what can be done to ensure that d.o.d. plans its use for contra

. >> kroft: more than 5,000 american servicemen and women have now died in the war zones of iraq and afghanistanand more than 20% of those deaths have occurred under what the military calls "non-hostile circumstances." tonight, we are going to tell you about three of those deaths. they occurred when a small turboprop plane with the call sign "blackwater 61" slammed into a mountain in afghanistan. the flight was operated by presidential airways, the aviation arm of blackwater, the private military firm. it was operating under a government contract to haul troops, mail and supplies to remote landing strips. the crash was barely noted, except for the fact that one of the passengers was lieutenant colonel mike mcmahon-- at the time, the highest-ranking soldier to die in the war. but as we first reported last february, it was an accident that never should have happened, and you would not be hearing about it tonight if it weren't for his widow, herself a former high-ranking army officer, who has waged a five-year battle against one of the military's most important contractors. >> colonel jeanette mcma

afghanistan. officials believe that at least some of that money has been skimmed from united states contracts. the conflicts in iraq and afghanistan have changed the way the united states wages war. with more contractors than troops currently in both countries, the role that he's civilians play has become important. the changing role of contractors has challenged the agencies that employee them. thus far, the agencies have not risen to meet those challenges. congress has tried to impose greater control over contingencies contractors and subcontractors including private security companies. the last three defense authorization acts include provisions aimed at strengthening oversight mechanisms and mandate more stringent controls on contractors. these new regulations have not been sufficient. we're here today, however, not to criticize what has or has not been done so far. we want to work in the spirit of constructive oversight. today we're asking what can be done to keep these problems from reoccurring. we have invited a panel of witnesses with expertise and experience in the area of contingency contracting. it's my hope that today we can discuss what we can do to increase visibility, oversight and accountab

the challenges in afghanistan are in many ways as or more complex than those general petreaus inherited when he assumed command in iraq. recent news reports indicate that progress in afghanistan is spotty. casualties among u.s., isaf, and afghan security forces are higher. while some normal activities have returned to helmand, insurgent intimidation and violence continues to threaten governance in the south. the karzai government has yet to deliver services to win local allegiances. and recent reports suggest that afghanistan is minorities are concerned about president karzai is overtures to taliban leaders through pakistani intermediaries. at our hearing two weeks ago, general petreaus emphasized that "a counterinsurgency operation is a roller-coaster experience, "but in his view, the trajectory has been generally upward, despite the tough losses. i have long believed that the number one mission in afghanistan is building the capacity of the afghan security forces to be able to take increasing responsibility for their country's security. general petreaus said that increasing the size and capacity of the afghan securi

way that will happen in afghanistan as well and i think however much people may debate how we got into iraq the outcome ended up at this point at least being more positive thannybody could have dreamed three years ago. >> thank you for a much. >> i'm c growing and needs to continue to be addressed. there is certainly a terrorist safe haven in somalia and in terms of stability, it is a country that is certainly if not a field state is a borderline phill state and in fact there are -- there are camps where terrorists are trained in somalia that we all need to be concerned about. so, and concerned about the fact that somalia continues to fester to use your word in a very negative way, a government that is struggling to control under assault from organizations that are terrorist based and continue to be the home for the piracy network clearly which is a challenge in that part of the world. so i am extremely concerned about that and its continued ability to continue to grow in the future. the other place where there is long term potential is number africa where al qaeda has a very strong link as well. while we focus on afghanistan and pakistan which is where the

the challenges in afghanistan are in many ways as or more complex than those general petreaus inherited when he assumed command in iraq. recent news reports indicate that progress in afghanistan is spotty. casualties among u.s., isaf, and afghan security forces are higher. while some normal activities have returned to helmand, insurgent intimidation and violence continues to threaten governance in the south. the karzai government has yet to deliver services to win local allegiances. and recent reports suggest that afghanistan is minorities are concerned about president karzai is overtures to taliban leaders through pakistani intermediaries. at our hearing two weeks ago, general petreaus emphasized that "a counterinsurgency operation is a roller-coaster experience, "but in his view, the trajectory has been generally upward, despite the tough losses. i have long believed that the number one mission in afghanistan is building the capacity of the afghan security forces to be able to take increasing responsibility for their country's security. general petreaus said that increasing the size and capacity of the afghan securi

afghanistan or iraq, we owe them our very best. >> if mcchrystal were of so vital, would this be such a the decision? >> i think that our efforts in afghanistan are bigger thanne person. i think that there is a strategy that was born out of discussions on the military in civilian side. we said this about iraq and afghanistan. there is not a military solution to this problem. in marginaa. this in our efforts if a government structure cannot be created to secure it, ou cannot transfer. this is bigger than anyone on the military or civilian side. >> how would you describe the president's reaction? was he surprised? >> i gave him the article last night. and he was angry. >> [inaudible] >> angry. you would know it if you saw it. >> as mcchrystal offered a resignation? >> not that i am aware of. again, he issnot with -- he has not met with the pressdent. not that i am aware of.. >> pulling a general off of the battlefield in a war, is that not tantamount to expectations? >> i will nottprejudge exhortations. >> what is the purpose for calling him here? >> to see what in the world he is thinking. >> is there a certain aspect of this serving as a shaming function? >>

iraq and afghanistan, what are your thoughts? guest: as far as iraq, better. i was there from 2004 to 2005. certainly, better than 2006, when there was rampant sectarian violence. the fact you have had one prime minister in power for four years, that they are taking over security. when i arrived in june 2004, they had a grand total of one battalion in their army. now they have close to 500,000 troops to help maintain security. as we are withdrawing, we aren't leaving them in pretty good shape. -- we are leaving them in pretty good shape. it was an interesting post. it was one of the most gratifying things. we were able to carry up the first successful elections in the iraq after the overthrow of saddam hussein. i think we were surprised by the peaceful outcome of those elections. host: mike, on the democratic line. caller: i was watching this is really -- isreali flotilla att ack. it is clear what was happening. every middle eastern islamic country is up in arms. they are in the streets protesting. kill, it is about protecting. but when we have terrorists killing muslims, in the hundred, we do not see much. do we

afghanistan when asked. i think they understand what has gone well in the tarmac, -- in .oiraq it is not easy. the environment in iraq is different than in afghanistan. the economic environment, the tribal environment, it is so much different. there are some basic lessons said to have taken over -- protecting the population, holding ground once you get it, having afghan forces be a part of everything they do, but we started doing with the iraqi security forces. i think they are taking that, and working that. the environment, again, i'm not an expert in afghanistan. the challenges of economic peace make it a different flight. i have the utmost confidence that the team over there will make this work. they now have the resources they have asked for, or are getting the resources that have asked for. >> went -- what evidence do you have that al qaeda will maintain its interest in stirring up trouble once the u.s. forces are out? >> al qaeda in iraq is about -- it has not changed. they want complete failure of the government in iraq. it is a tall task for them now, as compared to maybe 2005 or 2006. they still sustain that thought process.

guest: isn't the war in iraq and afghanistan a bigger crisis than this? . .he new normal at the obama white house bl laid on the other one there is a cabinet meeting about the oil spill and sometimes as many as three briefings a day that include the president himself. and then jumping over to look at what can come from crisis, the white house has also prospected for political opportunity in the crisis. mr. obama has tried to direct some of the public outrage toward reviving climate change legislation, a key part that is suddenly showing glimors of life in the senate. can you give us a sense of times when presidents have used a crisis to further an agenda? >> i think jimmy carter shows a cautionary example, because what carter tried to do, he tried to low ter speed limit to 5 miles an hour reduce our oil consumption. but people saw it as unrelated or very op tunistic. so he has to be careful linking his agenda to something that can come back and haunt him. >> struggling to gain control of the unknown. white house officials complain that they're caught between

afghanistan, iraq and the balkans in the last six years. so far, 22 have lost their lives in those operations, and the ones who survive are twice as likely to get post-traumatic stress disorder thanir regular counterparts. what recognition and support can the prime minister give to the thousands of employers who routinely allow staff to volunteer, train and engage in reservist activity and who, by doing so, are critical to our military success in those operations? >> my honorable friend is absolutely right to raise the conttibution that our territorial army plays in serving our country. he is right to remind us how many people have served in iraq and afghanistan. there are some 600 volunteer reservists serving today. standdng up for our armed forces is not just a government responsibility -- it is a social responsibility, and something that we should all do. we should pay tribute to those businesses that help people to volunteer and take part. we should remember their service in doing that as well. >> ms. harriet harman. >> may i join the prime minister in paying tribute to marine paul warren from 40 commando royal marines, who died on monday, and to the member of 40 commando roy

afghanistan where an afghani government can stand up. but that will not happen with a time line. it is a much tougher problem set than iraq. we'll see. to learn the lessons of the iraq insurgency. >> larry: michael, we're running out of time. first, i salute you, as everyone agrees, it's a brilliantly written article, very well done. how long you going to stay there? >> i'm probably going to be heading out pretty soon after this trip. but thanks very much for your kind words. >> larry: what's your next article about? >> i have an article coming up about helicopter pilots and i also have an article that will be upcoming about what we won or didn't win in iraq. i spent a number of months in iraq as well recently. >> larry: thank you so much. michael hastings. the article will be out friday. and ari fleisher, pete hegseth, peter beinart and john soltz, we thank them all. when we come back, soledad o'brien. we're going to talk about her new special about the evolving american family. don't go away. made a cup of m starbucks via ready brew. he secretly shared it with i heart accountants. sadly the rendezvous was soon sniffed out. premium

iraq and afghanistan. >> barry served at a time when the force was conscripted. i served in an all volunteer force. there was a misconception of the l volunteer force being more costly than a constructive force. we have to capture the costs of very high turnover and a conscripted force. we also have a philosophical level of how to cture the cost of compelling people to serve against their will. it is hard to it does not impose those costs on a small number of people. >> go ahea >> i agree with chris that the volunteer military has worked. it has produced the best force in the world. i don't think it's smart to think about going back. it is a over quantity approach. when you ask them to eage in very large scale slogs like in afghanistan, this drives costs up because the pentagon has to been hired to get people. part of the problem we have had is we have been trying to fight president johnson's war with president reagan's military. this military is not suited for this type of fighting. we put it together in reaction to the vietnam experience. without the anticipation that we would find ourselves in a similar situation. our assumption is regardless about how you feel about

in both iraq and afghanistan there are more private contractors than u.s. troops on the ground.now and for the foreseeable future the united states will be unable to engaging conflicts or reconstruction and stabilization operations of any significant size without private contractors. the system within which this contracting takes place, however, has not caught up with this new reality. to adapt the u.s. government must embark on a path of ambitious reform. part of that reform has rules regarding outsourcing of functions related to the public interest, that is those deemed governmental. as you know u.s. laws long aim to protect the core functions of government by prohibiting anyone other than federal employees from performing such tasks. but today, while there appears to be a rough consensus there are some functions that should never be outsourced there's no consensus on what those functions are. we've seen that today. until recently u.s. law and policy barred anyone other than a government official or entity from performing governmental activities, statues and regulations offere

challenges we face are in many ways as complex or more complex than general patraeus in the rigid when he assumed command in iraq. news reports in afghanistans that things are spotty. some normal activities have returned to helmand province, and insurgents intimidation continue to threaten governance in the south. the karzai government has yet to live -- yet to deliver services in regions locally. and news reports suggest that minorities are concerned about karzai's overtures to taliban leaders through pakistani intermediaries. at our hearing two weeks ago, general patraeus emphasized that "a counterinsurgency operation is a roller-coaster experience." but he said that in his view the introductory has generally been upward despite the tough losses. i have long believed that the number one mission in afghanistan is building the capacity of the afghan security forces to be able to take increasingly -- increasing responsibility for their own security. general patraeus said, two weeks ago that increasing the size and capacity of afghan security forces is "central to achieving progress in afghanistan." u.s. and isaf forces need to focus their re

my friend from georgia's proposal represents less than 1/10 of 1% of what we're borrowed to pay for the iraq and afghanistan war. let's get serious here. and when i see that poster that says youcut, what they don't show you is what they're cutting and what they want to cut is social security. the minority leader made that very clear in his interview. basically take money out of social security to pay for the wars. our senior citizens, who have fought in wars, who have worked in our factories, who have raised our families, are going to be told to pay for the war. no, i will not. my friends have 30 minutes on their side. i will not yield. i'd like to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for two minutes. ms. jackson lee: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent to address the house. this is a very emotional time for many americans as they look at pending unemployment, long months of addressing the question of how they pay their mortgage and reflecting on how we got to this place. that is why i stand today to

afghanistan to fight againstt the cowards in the desert, the taliban. i've been to iraq and afghanistan and let me tell you something, madam speaker, there is no better fighting machine in the world than the 101st. they were the first conventional unit to deploy in support of the american war on terrorism. the 101st easy company was portrayed in the series "banff brothers" and -- ban of brothers" and matthew gave his life with four other fellow soldiers that day. it was the bloodiest day of the war so far this year. madam speaker, this is a photograph of matthew. he and his fellow soldiers were killed when their humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device, that's called an i.e.d., that's the cowards way of the taliban of fighting our troops. but as shakespeare said, they shall be remembered, we few, we happy few, we banff brothers for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. matthew catlett, this young american hero, was only 23 years of age when he gave his life for this country. there is nothing as noble as the character of a man who so willingly dead indicates his life for others. the american warriors serving our military understand that better than anybody.

in both iraq and afghanistan there are more private contractors than u.s. troops on the ground. now and for the foreseeable future the united states will be unable to engaging conflicts or reconstruction and stabilization operations of any significant size without private contractors. the system within which this contcting takes place, however, has not caught up with this new rlity. to adapt the u.s. government must embark on a path of ambitious reform. part of that reform has rules regarding tsrcing of functions related to the public interest, that is those deemed governmental. as you know u.s. laws long aim to protect the core functions of government by prohibiting anyone other than federal employees from performing such tasks. but today, while there appears to be a rough consensus there are some functions that should never be outsourced there's no consensus on what those functions are. we've seen that today. until recently u.s. law and policy barred anyone other than a government official or entity from performing governmental activities, statues and regulations offered overl

than they were. host: the ambasssdor is with us until 11:00 eastern for your teleppone calls. the topic is iraq, afghanistan, and the middle east. ambassador, you served as ambassador to iraq. this morning, the headlines are on more insurgent terrorist attacks in baghdad, coordinated attacks which killed dozens. we asked earlier on this program how our guest view the progress or lack thereof. what is your view? guest: there were today. one was the terrorist attacks+ that you mentioned -- there were two big stories today. one was a terrorist attacks hat you mentioned. -pthere was also the yin and ya. the backdrop of terrorist violence along with the unique political process. these bombings have been part of a landscape for quite some time. there are tragic. their evil. i do not think there want to affect the -- they are evil. i do not think they are going to affect the process. the process will continue. host: how do look at the administration's approach to iraq, the drawdown of troops, and there ramping up of the efforts -- the grabbing up of the efforts in the kandahar reggon. what is your view? guest: the

than they are right now. >> he is with us until 10:00 eastern. the topic is iraq and afghanistan, and the numbers to call into -- for republicans, pnd independence and others -- we will get your phone calls in a moment. you served as the former ambassador to iraq. and the headlines are on more insurgent attacks in baghdad. discorded attack killed dozens in baghdad. we spoke to one man about how he viewed the lack of progress in iraq. >> there were two big stories out of iraq today. the terrorist attacks that you mentioned, and the convening of the parliament to begin the process of government formation. this is the yen and the gang. the backdrop of terrorist violence, at the same time that the people of iraq did along with their unique political process. these bombings have been part of the landscape for some time. they are tragic, they are evil, but i do not believe that they will affect the political process. they will get on with their business in a unique way. >> how have you looked at the approach to the rack and a drawdown of soldiers, and the wrapping up of the efforts in

wave of the future in hunting and finding terrorists, more than a big counter insurgency war like we had in iraq, like we're having in afghanistan. training and deployment, training is always being modified. there are these huge mock, you see these huge centers out west and the east as well where troops go, to where it looks like you're right in the middle of the middle east right down to the last detail. i've been in some of them where they have even high definition video of your walking in and they have the steps leading into each room are a little cricketty like you would see in afghanistan. downtown to the last defail. the first question about is fighting an ideology, i'm not so sure where you're going with that. that. perhaps you meant the ideology debate about how people fight the war in afghanistan tends to be should we be fighting a counter insurgency or a counter terrorism. host: let's put that on hold for a second. we'll come back do that. but let's go to sam on our line but let's go to sam on our line for independents out of delaware. welcome. caller: thank you. i have a question. i'm thinking about the whole rolling

iraq and afghanistan. there is not a military solution. if you cannot hold an area oo create the type of governing structure to secure the area, you cannot [unintelligible] this is bigger than anyone on the military or civilian side. >> were you with the president when he reacted in any way? how would you describe it? surprised? angry? >> i gave you the article last he was angry. angry. you know it if you sell it. >> has general mcchrystal offered his resignation? >> not that i am aware of. >> will the president accept a resignation? >> i think he ooks forward to talk to him. >>>[unintelligible] >> i am not prejudging the outcome. he is calling him here to see what in the world to his thinking. >> is there a certain aspect of this to shame him? he could have listened to the information by video teleconference? >> this goes far beyond the president. let's be clear. the meeting tomorrow -- there are a lot of people that are+ involved. we have a diplomatic corps that has to -- that is sending civilians to greet the governing structure. we have men and women at all levels of the military involved in this. these are discussions that i am sure general mcchrystal will have.3 him?

iraq and afghanistan. >> barry served at a time when the force was conscripted. i servedn an all volunteer force. there was a misconception of the all volunteer force being more costly than a constructi force. we have to capture the cos of very high turnover and a conscripted force. we also have a philosophal level of how to capture the cost of compelling people to serve against their will. it is hard to it does not impose those costs on a small number of people. >> go ahead. >> i agree wh chris that the volunteer military has worked. it has produced the best force in the world. i don't think it's art to think about going back. it i a over quantity approach. when you ask them to engage in very large scale slogs like in afghanistan, this drives costs up because the pentagon has to been hired to get people. part of the problem we have had is we have been trying to fight president johnson's war with president reagan's military. this military is not suited for this type of fighting. we put it together in reaction to the vietnam experience. without the anticipation that we would find ourselves in a similar situation. our assumption is regardless about how you feel about these

is more important to me than making sure that our troops on the frontlines receive the funding they need. with two counterinsurgency operations going on in afghanistan and iraq, it's highly irresponsible to hold this up any longer. in conclusion, god bless our troops, we will never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia rise? >> address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. moran: madam speaker, we should all be greatly concerned for the safety of our u.s. census workers. according to the census bureau, there have been 379 incidents involving threats and abuse towards census employees so far this year. that's more than double the violence that occurred during the last census in 2000, and there are still three weeks remaining in this year's census taking. reported incidents have consisted of robberies, assault, violent threats, being held against their will, and carjacking. they are doing very important work and getting paid very little for it. they should not be

iraq and afghanistan? >> i would give you perhaps to three reasons. -- two or three reasons. he knows counterinsurgency strategy better than anybody he wrote the book on it. it has been put into effect in afghanistan. he has proven that he can successfully carry out such a strategy in a different situation than afghanistan. it is less on force and force and then it does on getting and winning the support of the ppople and protecting the people. to do that not just with your security forces but by winning their support through true government as well. he is a proven entity. the fact that he reflex that kind of experience and strain is -- reflex that kind of experience in strength is important. there cannot be that kind of gap in a war. there cannot be won general to leave without the next one being ready to take over. >> republicans were very complimentary of the present decision on the hiring of general petraeus to take over but will say that the date of withdrawal is good to undermine the whole effort to because the talent and will wait it out. how do you respond? -- the taliban will wait it out. how do you respond? >> ge

and have involvement in the hands of iraq and afghanistan: and to him if our involvement goes all away hah to hough we think if there is no one more qualified than general petreaus to achieve a successful conclusion for the afghan conflict treehouse we think of general mcchrystal for his service to our nation and wish him well in the ffture. we're confident that general petreaus's leadership will have a positive effect on the situation in the region. he still have concerns about the civilian side it might suggest that consideration be given to reuniting the crocker-petreaus team, all of ambassador carper will probably never forgive me for saying that since he is retired rehouse we have concerns about the civilian side of. relations between the ambassador and president karzai, when there is sufficient civilian side to this house of question, family know him if there his tough sledding ahead. fearing for general petreaus will be the fastest -- a feeling for general petreaus will probably be the fastest. how concerned that we have whether that is etched in stone as the president's spokesperson stated, or whether it will be conditions faced, we feel

iraq and afghanistan. >> barry served at a time when the force was conscripted. i served in an all volunteer force. there was a misconception of the all volunteer force being more costly than a constructive force. we have to capture the costs of very high turnover and a conscripted force. we also have a philosophical level of how to capture the cost of compelling people to serve against their will. it is hard to it does not impose those costs on a small number of people. >> go ahead. >> i agree with chris that the volunteer military has worked. it has produced the best force in the world. i don't think it's smart to think about going back. it is a over quantity approach. when you ask them to engage in very large scale slogs like in afghanistan, this drives costs up because the pentagon has to been hired to get people. part of the problem we have had is we have been trying to fight president johnson's war with president reagan's military. this military is not suited for this type of fighting. we put it together in reaction to the vietnam experience. without the anticipation that we would find ourselves in a similar situation. our assumption is regardless about how you feel

than they were then. -phost: ryan crocker is with us for your calls. the topic is iraq, iran, and afghanistan. the numbers are on yyur screen. we will get to calls in a moment. ambassador, you served as an ambassador to iraq. this morning, headlines are on more in certain terrorist attacks in baghdad coordinated that have killed cousins. we asked john negroponte how he viewed this earlier. what is your view? guest: there are twoobig stories. one ii the terrorist attacks. the other is the convening of the iraqi parliament today to begin the process of governnent formation. it is a yen and yenn-- it is a yin and yang. there is silence at the same time they get on with, shall we say, their unique political process. these bombings have been part of the landscape for quite some time. they are evil. i do not think they will effect the politicaa process. i think the iraqis wwll get on with business in their own unique way. host: how you look at the ramping up of the efforts in the can a heart region? what are your views? -- in the kandahar region? guest: we are very much eegaged in irrq. the vice pre

war in afghanistan will and much as the war in iraq has ended and that is with a gradual transition from our being in the military le while the iraqi security forc were growing then partnering thanhe iraqi is in the lead and are drawing back the overwatch and strategic overwatch and now an advisory and assist role. at the same time that the political system starting fresh was being created and maturing and i think what you will see is the same kind of a gradual transition to where the afghans are in the lead and the security every enough that's what we are talking about when we talk about when we begin a process of transition t afghan control in the provinces. we are already talking about which ones of those will happen and can we do some of them beginning toward the end of the year or early next year. so as we did province by province in iraq i suspect that is the way that will however much people y debate how we got into iraq the outcome ended up at this point at least being ore positive than anybody could have dreamed three years ago. >> thank you for a much. >> i'm cautioned to say the iraq war is ending, not has ended. >> i realize no one can predict the signing of the docu