once in brussels, it will connect to africa and other destinations served by brussels airlines, whichwe welcomed into the store lines last week. i flew back last friday to chicago. it was one of our refurbished 67 aircraft, with our new seating and the best -- the very best -- business cabin configuration of any u.s. carrier. it is a great improvement. i know it is appreciated, by our customers and by our employees alike. we continue to strengthen our global and national service, as we did in october, to the partnership with continental we forge one united brought them into the star alliance. we added destinations, including new york and a significant presence in the caribbean from their hub in houston. this is the first time a major airline has shifted alliances. -- the benefits of the global alliance are important for our major carriers. in this industry, alliances are vital. offering our customers shared frequent-flier programs, a seamless connections, and access to member lounges. if there were any doubt about the importance of alliances, but you only need to look at the efforts t

he does plan to participate in these discussions in brussels.n of meetings. he will have meetings with his counterparts. >> is either already? >> i don't think he's there already. >> speaking of mr. holbrooke, could you please tell us, give us a little more detail of high commissioner or something akin to that. >> i don't think it's idea necessarily. i think it's more -- i'm not sure exactly who came up with the idea, but i want to be very specific about what this concept is. it's about -- it's a coordinating role. it's about coordinating civilian developmental and other resources among international herders. this is about helping build the capacity of the afghan government as it is not about bypassing as i saw it. there was one media report today. we are trying to better support the afghan government. this is the main object is of having a civilian coordinator. and it will include a role for the u.n. as well. so i just wanted to get that on the record that this is not in any way to undercut or bypass the afghan government. >> where does it stan

secretary of defense in south asia and a senior advisor at the north atlantic treaty organization of a brussels. in 2009, president obama asked him to chair a review of american policy toward afghanistan and pakistan. the results were announced in a speech on march 22, 2009. the author of this book and the leadership and ideology -- he will be available for a book signing in the back. he will promise to save you were siepi purchase the boat. he will sign it. it is coming out in paperback. this is your last chance to get one in hard copy. he will be available for that briefly. at the top he will take the questions in answers. i would like to turn the floor over tubers. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. it is an honor for me to be here today. the jamestown foundation has consistently provided americans and people around the world is some of the best analysis of what is going on. it is a very special pleasure to have this chance to be the keynote speaker. 10 months ago, i was minding my own business in my home on the eastern shore of maryland when the phone rang and a voice came o

milos really wants to play for brussels. milos only wants to play for shanghai. buenos aires...paris... milos really wants to play for rome. [ crashing glass ] how's your japanese? we know why you fly. we're american airlines. >> steve: number one kansas with a four-point lead on ucla. we go back to the last meeting, march 24th, 2007, west regionals san jose, in an exceptional second half, aaron scored 15 of his 24 points and the bruins held off the top seeded jayhawks for a 68-55 victory in the west regional final. rush had 18. afflalo was a man in big time. >> marques: indeed. afflalo was just a warrior. ben howland's first signee i believe as a coach here at ucla. paid dividends. now out with the denver nuggets. >> steve: it's been eight minutes since someone other than collins made it. now they finally get one. marcus moore. kansas goes back in front by six. >> marques:or the high/low basketball. >> steve: a high/low to reeves nelson but he misses on the alley-oop. they swing it out. tyrel reed, a big-time scorer in high school, but misses. rebounding. doing a better job on

milos really wants to play for brussels. milos only wants to play for shanghai. buenos aires.... paris... milos really wants to play for rome. [ crashing glass ] how's your japanese? we know why you fly. we're american airlines. learn more at supportyourvet.org. >>> we're back. men's college cup. virginia and akron for the ncaa championship. maven is in the goal duringing penalty shutout. akron in it. another save on monaco. akron can now tie it. gavin for the tie. oh, blair gavin over the net and it is over. virginia wins their sixth college cup championship. unbelievable. >>> back to basketball. a couple of other acc games this afternoon. wake forest had no probable with elan while clemson blew out fuhrman. >>> tune into "the final score" comes at you although 10:30 on most of these regional sports network. we have a good one going on as the rams of rhode island lead boston college at the half 33-25 the score. send it back out to chestnut hill after the break. enjoy the rest of the game. we'll see you for "the final score" tonight. oh! blue! time! time out. i touched it. i tou

>> i will be talking with our allies in brussels. there is a united nations presence in afghanistan. there is also in the isaf presence. not everyone who contribute civilian aid is a member of nato will isaf, but they are all members of united nations, so how we coordinate and better hold accountable our civilian aid is a matter of great concern to all the contributing nations, both the troop contributing, non-troop civilian, non-nato, etc. the plawent country has announca substantial contrition. we're looking at the united nations and nato, but we're coming up with a coordinating mechanism that can meet the needs of all the various parties who want to contribute to afghanistan's future. >> secretary gates, i assume that general mcchrystal understands the importance of that handoff and the coronation. >> nobody wants to more than he does. >> let me turn to the secretary an abnormal and. -- and admiral mullen. what effect do you see this additional deployment having on to tell time and the length of deployments cycles and the reset, a

the secretary had, obviously, a very busy day today in brussels. she had meetings with the nato secretary general, and she participated in several meetings of north atlantic council. nato foreign ministers with isef contributing natos. there was a meeting of the nato russian council as well. it was a very productive day. they endorsed the president's strategy and approach toward afghanistan. 25 countries pledge to do more in terms of troops, trainers, and trust fund contributions. nato and their isaf partners pledged 7,000 more troops. we expect that there will be several thousand more likely in the near future. isaf countries also began a discussion on improving civilian coordination with an eye to agree on the mechanisms by the time of the london conference in january. in addition, nato countries and russia formally restarted the nato-russia council by the first meetings since december of 2007. they also agreed to some restructuring of the nic. and a work program for 2010. secretary had a number of bilateral meetings as she met with uk foreign se

european leaders though, did reach agreement in brussels on how much money they'll give towards a $10 billion fast-start fund for immediate help for poor countries. the draft agreement and the money have revived hopes a deal is possible in copenhagen, but time is melting away with little sign anyone's prepared to compromise yet. >> sreenivasan: the u.s. envoy to the talks called the draft a "constructive text". in economic news, retail sales were up more than expected last month. the commerce department announced an increase of well over 1% for november. and wall street was mostly higher, in response. the dow jones industrial average gained more than 65 points to close at 10471. but the nasdaq lost half a point to close at 2190. for the week, the dow gained nearly 1%. the nasdaq was down a fraction. also today, oil prices finished below $70 a barrel for the first time in 2 months. actor gene barry has died at a rest home in los angeles. his family gave no cause of death. his career included a number of roles on broadway and in hollywood. but he gained fame on tv as "bat masterson" in

i will go to brussels tomorrow to begin the process of securing additional alliance commitments of troops trainers and resources. we expect secretary general rasmussen to have announcement today about the progress we're making in that effort. ambassador holbrooke, our special representative is already there consulting with our allies and we are also asking the international community to expand its support to pakistan. our objectives are shared by people in governments across the world and we are particularly reaching out to muslims everywhere. let me conclude where i began. we face a range of difficult choices in afghanistan and pakistan. but the president's plan represents the best way we know to protect our nation today and in the future. the task we face is as complex as any national security challenge in our lifetimes. we will not succeed if people view this effort as a responsibility of a single party, a single agency within our government or a single country. we owe it to the troops and civilians who are face these dangers to come together as americans. and come together with allies

alistair garland arrived in washington from brussels by way of london. >> so once we got on the plane they made an announcement about halfway through saying the final hour everybody was going to have to be seated and nobody could go and get their bags and nobody could go to restrooms. >> warner: domestic passengers reported fewer delays, and security lines were moving smoothly at dulles. >> there didn't seem to be any heightened security or anything like that. >> warner: though the passengers at dulles seem patient about the new restrictions, the larger question remains: would these stepped up airport and in flight measure put in place over the last few days have actually foiled the would be christmas day bomber? >> i think some of the measures are short term, knee-jerk reactions. of course all these measures can be out in place like blankets on the lap and not going to the toilet, but that is not going to stop a terrorist from doing things. >> warner: transportation expert kenneth button is a professor of public policy at george mason university. he says what's needed is better intel

general ike enberg, it's awfully good to see you again and i remember many of our visits to brussels with nato parliamently assembly. general mcchrystal, i appreciate your conversation with me on the phone at the last nato pa meeting. i see and am very encouraged by the reaction of the nato parliamentarian members at the last meeting a couple, three weeks ago in edinburough, there's a new spirit and cooperation, i think for the first time in several years. it's my impression, to use a football analogy, that they realize and have no problem with the united states being the quarterback of nato, they'd just like to be in the huddle when the play is called. you, and i think the administration, have done a good job of including them in the muddle. it makes a tremendous amount of difference, let me say, in the attitude and the atmosphere where all of these parliamentarians from member nations gather. as a president of that organization for the next year, i want to thank you both for doing that. i would encourage you every way you can to always speak of this as a coalition led by and not us

in brussels today, defense ministers from 25 of the 44 nations in the alliance confirmed the pledges they made last week. meantime, another u.s. ally visited the white house today for talks with the president. the tur kiss prime minister now has nearly 2,000 troops in afghanistan, largely deployed in and around the capitol kabul. the timetable for when american troops leave afghanistan also remained an issue. mr. obama announced last week that a drawdown would begin in july 2011. defense secretary robert gates and secretary of state hillary clinton elaborated on the sunday talk shows. >> this is a transition that's going to take place. and it's not an ash traire -- arbitrary date. obviously the transition will begin in the less contested areas of the country. but it will be the same kind of gradual-conditions based transition province by province, district by district that we saw in iraq. >> woodruff: those conditions will be determined in part by the readiness of afghan security forces. training them is a linchpin of the president's strategy. but there was another reminder today tha

> i know that secretary clinton, at the recent foreign ministers meeting at nato headquarters in brussels, she discussed this with the -- her fellow foreign ministers and i think it is going to be on their agenda for the month of january. >> mr. lew, can you give us any more insight on that? >> i would just make two points. first, there is some natural turnover at unama and it is part of the discussion there as well in terms of choosing a new head of the u.n. mission. and a point that secretary clinton made last week which is important to remember is that while isaf is a very useful, critical coordinating mechanism at the military level, at the civilian level we have many nonnato countries making significant contributions and we have to make sure that in getting civilian coordination we don't coordinate out some major partners. so just a little bit more complicated and that's the kind of conversation going on right now. >> certainly recognizing the sensitivity of that person and who might fill it, i would urge, given what everyone has testified to about the importance of the civilian effo

i will be going to brussels tomorrow to work with our allies, to obtain additional commitments of troops and civilian aide. we also know that a strong, stable, democrating pakistan is a necessity as a key partner in this effort. people in pakistan are increasingly coming to the view that we do share a common enemy. i heard that repeatedly during my recent visit there. we will significantly expand support to help develop the potential of the people of pakistan, and we will do more to demonstrate to the pakistani people that they must continue their efforts to weed out and defeat the pakistani taliban. as we are moving forward with our international efforts, we have a great deal of commitment to troops, trainers and resources that will be reported in the days and weeks ahead. ambassador holbrook, our special representative is already there consulting with our allies, and we are especially reaching out to muslims everywhere, to make clear that those who pervert a great religion do not represent it, and everyone has a stake in ensuring that they do not dominate the message and the narrative

milos really wants to play for brussels. milos only wants to play for shanghai. buenos aires... frankfort... paris... milos really wants to play for rome. [ crashing glass ] how's your japanese? we know why you fly. we're american airlines. jarvis. >> steve: bulldogs lead bruins by nine in the first half. time for our american airlines flashback. last year in the wooden classic depaul against number 16 ucla. josh shipm and drew holliday led the bruins with 14 points each and the bruins were presented about the wooden trophy. >> great person to talk to, every story back from, you know, the old ucla days and that depaul game. it was fun for us. i remember i had a tip dunk in that games jarvis. >> steve: one of the reasons ucla is struggling this year at 2-5 is so many players they lost in the first round and look at the pac-10 losses, hills, rosen, holliday, collison and gibbson. most of those guys starting in the game. >> marcus: what an understatement, drew holliday having his struggles in philadelphia and gibson doing a great job in philadelphia and james harden going to be a t

brussels, so it is a little more complicated, but the relationship is there. >> let me ask a question of this point. you give a good explication of the reason you see it for the involvement, but in terms of how we execute this strategy, a number of important questions of ras, but of a one is the issue of sanctuary in pakistan -- a number of important questions arise, but one of the issues is pakistan. we did not have insurgent leaders across the border with significant numbers of fighters moving back-and-forth more or less of will. it seems the pakistani have taken on the pakistani taliban, but according to recent comments from general petraeus, they have not relate stepped up for the afghan taliban what will they do to take this action because it is hard to imagine the united states making the progress they would need to make by july, 2011. >> i agree with your comment. i would say this is a matter of the highest concern. we have had more high-level visitors than any other country in the world since january 20. we feel pakistan did not get the attention is required, and the attention

we left brussels with some confidence. >> that is good. thank you very much. >> thank you very much. senator udall is next. >> i thank you mr. chairman. good afternoon, gentlemen. as many of us have said, i want to thank you for your service and i look for it is well to joining minister mccain and senator lieberman in their upcoming visits to afghanistan as she began to implement this important strategy. -- as you begin to implement this import strategy. we've emphasized the importance about the limits of our ability to defeat their taliban. there has been talk about reconciliation with the taliban and how we drive wedges between those interested in the taliban and its presence for political purposes versus those eager to push the forces of chaos and destruction and hatred. i know that we're not in the best position to pursue reconciliation right now, given that the taliban are strong and they lack incentive to change. but i would like to think that we're doing more in this area than we were and we're working closely with the afghan govern

and i was in brussels last week talking to the new, sort of the new foreign minister of europe about this. and i think she's going to be very good. i think carla hills, you know her. i never met her before. i was a tremendously impressed with the opportunities. but the answer to your question is, absolutely. it's a little bit out of kilter. but that doesn't mean cut afghanistan. that means increased pakistan, and it means get the international community, which is being pretty generous in afghanistan. look at japan, $5 billion over the next five years. a 400% increase announced last month that we have to get the same thing in pakistan. and that will require national understanding here in the united states, led by a bipartisan congressional effort to and for me, that is one of the three or four highest priorities, is to get our pakistan assistance international to that level. >> let's go over there, and then we will go to the back of the room. >> alan grayson, ambassador holbrooke, could you discuss the benchmarks that you have in mind for the success of your programs? and also how you

i will leave for brussels to begin the process of securing additional love and commitment. ambassador holbert is started their consulting with allies. we have had a very encouraging response in the conversations we have had thus far and we are looking beyond to build the strongest brought us possible coalition. japan just announced a 5 billion-dollar commitment to afghanistan. we think other governments are beginning to recognize this is a common link against a common enemy so let me conclude right began. we face a range of difficult choices but the president's plan represents the best way we know to protect our nation today and in the future. the task be face is as complexes in the national security challenge in our lifetimes. we will not succeed if people view this effort as the responsibility of a single party, a single agency within our government or a single country. we'll it to our troops and their civilians who will these these dangers to come together as americans and come together with our allies and the international partners to help accomplish this mission. i loo

we left brussels with some confidence. >> that's good. thank you very much and thank you, mr. chairman. >> thank you very much, senator inhofe. senator udall is next. >> thank you, mr. chairman. good afternoon, gentlemen. as many of us have said up here, i want to thank you for your service, and i look forward as well to joining senator mccain and senator lieberman in their upcoming visits to afghanistan as you begin to implement this important strategy. i know that we've all talked about secretary gates and both of you about the limits of our ability to actually defeat the taliban. there's been a lot of talk about reconciliation with the taliban. and how we drive wedges between those who are interested in the taliban and its presence for political purposes versus those who are eager to push the forces of chaos and destruction and hatred. i know we're not in the best position to pursue reconciliation right now given that the taliban are strong and lack an incentive change. but i'd like to think we're doing more in this area than we have been and that we're working closely with

eikenberry served as the deputy chairman of the north atlantic treaty organization, military committee in brussel, belgium. he has served twice before in afghanistan, first as u.s. security coordinator and chief of the office of military cooperation in kabul. and then as commander of the combined forces command in he served as director of the two staff in 2009 and as commander of joint special operations command from 2000 to to 2008. the operation of lead in the death of the leader of al qaeda in iraq. we are honored to have you here. wide view not begin? -- why don't you begin? >> thank you for the opportunity to present my views on that can stand today pitta i would ask of my full statement be submitted for the record. last week, president obama presented the administration strategy for afghanist an and pakistan. i am honored to be part of that process. it offers the best path to stabilize afghanistan and establish that al qaeda cannot get in difficult to plan attacks against us. i can say that i fully support this approach. i consider myself privileged to serve as the united states ambassador

most recently the nato min stairal in brussels, allies pledged to contribute approximately 7,000 difficulttroops for fging if and in all 25 countries plemped to do more in terms of troops trainers and trust fund monies. the task we face is as complex as any national security challenge in our lifetime. we will not succeed if this effort is viewed as the responsibility of a single party, agency or country. we owe it to our troops and civilian whose face these dangers to come together at americans and with allies and parter ins to help them accomplish this critical mission. i thank you for the opportunity to testify today. thank you. >> mr. chairman, senator lugar, members the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss this situation in afghanistan together with deputy secretary le wuchlt and eikenberry. i provide my assessment of the situation in iraq as commander of the multi-national force in iraq and i appreciate this opportunity to discuss the way ahead in afghanistan. let me state up front thapt i fully support the policy president obama announced at west point last week. succe

. >> host: there is a meeting going on in brussels with secretary of state clinton represented the u.s this morning, the secretary general of nato spells out a couple of specific points. one i want to get your reaction to, he says, to be clear transition is not a code word for exit strategy. it means transition into a different role. can you elaborate? >> guest: again if you read the president's speech i think he makes it clear we looked at this point that talks about july 2011 but he says that will allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of it afghanistan. who will execute irresponsibly taking into account conditions on the ground. so i think what we are seeing here is say that we will assess where we are at that point and how we began that transition depends on where the afghans are and i think nato is very important to there and i think they can help transition in this transition of training of the afghan forces. >> host: secretary rasmussen says it's not just president of, sort, the time magazine says it is his war. >> guest: is not. and when we went into bosnia nie five w

it also says that the administration sent richard holbrooke to brussels on tuesday to begin briefing nato allies on policy. stanley mcchrystal will also be briefing allies in his capacity. chris, independent line -- capacity." chris, independent line. what are your thoughts? chris, i am going to put you on hold until you turn your television down. monica, republican line. caller: good morning. merry christmas. host: what are your thoughts this morning? caller: the institution of war that has been declared in the middle east is a clutch. the country, at the time, voted? i do not think we should pullout until we have done our job. the president said that he was going to support the troops. i think that he is doing the right things. you have to support the troops. you cannot make a move over there without listening to the chiefs on the ground. i feel that the president has to use more troops if he says so. we do not always like the fact that men and women are dying, but if you look at it realistically, 4.5000 people have died in conflicts over there. we saw just about that many in a few

in brussels. he spells out a few specific points. transition is not a code word for exit strategy. it means transitioning to a different role. guest: if you read the president's speech, we have all looked at this point that talks about july 2011, but he says that will allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of afghanistan. we will executes it responsibly. what we are seeing here is we will assess where we are and how we began that transition depends on where the afghans are. i think nato is very important indeed they can help transition. host: he says it is not just president obama's war. guest: it is not. when we went into bosnia back in 1995, we had 37 nations with us. two-thirds of the force were other than the u.s. there are 43 nations on the ground now. most americans don't understand that. they are in the north and some of them are involved in muscular operations in the south, but how to consult with those of 43 nations to get this trust that we need, and we have not a good -- had done a good job consulting. it is important to get nato involved in this. what hillary

east and south asia in the pentagon and senior adviser of north atlantic treaty organization in brusselsresident barack obama asked rest to chair a review of american policy toward afghanistan and pakistan, a result the president announced in his speech. more importantly he is the author of this book, the search for al qaeda, its leadership, ideology, and future, published by brookings press. after his talk he will be available for a book signing in the back and if you purchase the book he promises to say a few words to you and also to sign the book. it's very important book, it is coming out in paperback so it is your last chance to get one in hard copy. bruce will be available for that briefly. after his talk he will take a few questions and answers which he will address to the audience and more and portly i would like to turn the floor over to bruce and i am delighted to have you here. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. it is a special privilege and honor for me to be here today to speak to this audience at the jamestown foundation. the jamestown foundation over the la

eikenberry served as the deputy chairman of the north atlantic treaty organization, military committee in brussel, belgium. he has served twice before in afghanistan, first as u.s. security coordinator and chief of the office of military cooperation in kabul. and then as commander of the combined forces command in afghanistan. general stanley mcchrystal is the current commander, international security assistance force, and commander u.s. forces afghanistan. previously he served as director of the joint staff from the april 2008, to june 2009 and as commander, joint special operations command from 2003 to 2008. where he led the operation that resulted in the death of abu musab al-zarqawi, the leader of al qaeda in iraq. ambassador, general, we're honored to have you here. and ambassador, why don't you begin? >> thank you. chairman berman, ranking member lehtonen and distinguished members of this committee, thank you for the opportunity to present my views on afghanistan today. i'd ask that my full statement be submitted for the record. last week in a speech at the united states military academy at

the u.s., china, russia, britain, and germany plan to meet on friday in brussels.e some of the latest headlines on c-span radio. >> head of the u.s. enmr!y information administration announces projections for u.s. energy supply, demand, and prices for the year 2035. live coverage begins at 9:30 eastern on c-span3. the peterson-2 commission on but to reform was to the discussion on the federal debt. participants include former congressional budget office director, alice rivlin and douglas faults-e kendrick -- holtz-eakin. and as congress considers reauthorization of the elementary and secondary school act, educators and activists and government officials discussed ways to eliminate the so-called achievement gap. live coverage at 1:00 p.m. eastern on c-span 3. "washington journal" continues. host: matthew levitt is the counterterrorism director for the washington institute for near east policy come here to talk was about what is becoming known as homegrown terrorism, particularly in the wake of the five young men arrested in pakistan in the last week or so. reports f

secretary clinton in brussels on friday and making rounds today, are they bearing fruit? seeing some and feel they have more than expected. secretary gates wanted to be sure that nato contributed at least 10,000 troops, they may get between five to 10,000. but this war is less popular in europe than here. but nato has endorsed the broad principles of the mcchrystal strategy and now secretary clinton and gates are asking them to put troops where they said they would. host: we have scott and trudy joining us, thank you for being with us. i want to turn our attention to dubai and some developments there in the past week and it's impact on the u.s. economy and the u.s. and world banking organizations. we'll have andrew sorkin joining us from new york. and the senate is in today and they will convene at 12:30 eastern time and president obama will join on this sunday. first a look at some discussions on topics on this sunday's morning program, with bobbie jackson. >> steve and afghanistan and continuing discussion about the economy. the guests on nbc's meet the press, secretary

it also says that the administration sent richard holbrooke to brussels on tuesday to begin briefing nato allies on policy. stanley mcchrystal will also be briefing allies in his capacity. chris, independent line -- capacity." chris, independent line. what are your thoughts? chris, i am going to put you on hold until you turn your television down. monica, republican line. caller: good morning. merry christmas. host: what are your thoughts this morning? caller: the institution of war that has been declared in the middle east is a clutch. the country, at the time, voted? i do not think we should pullout until we have done our job. the president said that he was going to support the troops. i think that he is doing the right things. you have to support the troops. you cannot make a move over there without listening to the chiefs on the ground. i feel that the president has to use more troops if he says so. we do not always like the fact that men and women are dying, but if you look at it realistically, 4.5000 people have died in conflicts over there. we saw just about that many in a few

he was a senior adviser at the north atlantic treaty as it -- organization and brussels.the author of this book -- "the search for al qaeda." published by brookings press. after his talks today, he will be available for a book signing in the back. he has promised to say a few words to you and to sign the book. it is coming out in paperback. it is your last chance to get one in hard copy. per se will be available for that briefly. -- bruce will be available for that briefly. after hisç talkl zhe willç tae questions and answers. i would like to turn the floor over to burst. çruce. glad to have you with us. >>ok thank you very much for tht kind introduction. it is a special privilege and honor for me to beç here todayo speak to this audience at the jamestown foundation. çthey have over the last severl years consistently provided americans and people around the world with some of the best analysis of what is going on in the terrorism worldç. for that reason, it is a special pleasure toç have this chance o be theç keynote speaker today. [applause] xr10 months ago and a

reporting to general petraeus he also reports to the chain of command of to nato headquarters in brussels, so it is a little more complicated, but the relationship is there. >> let me ask a question of this point. you give a good explication of the reason you see it for the involvement, but in terms of how we execute this strategy, a number of important questions of ras, but of a one is the issue of sanctuary in pakistan -- a number of important questions arise, but one of the issues is pakistan. we did not have insurgent leaders across the border with significant numbers of fighters moving back-and-forth more or less of will. it seems the pakistani have taken on the pakistani taliban, but according to recent comments from general petraeus, they have not relate stepped up for the afghan taliban what will they do to take this action because it is hard to imagine the united states making the progress they would need to make by july, 2011. >> i agree with your comment. i would say this is a matter of the highest concern. we have had more high-level visitors than any other country in the worl

i'll go to brussels tomorrow. we expect the general to have an announcement today about the progress we are making in that effort. ambassador holbrooke is already there. where as in the community to expand this support to pakistan. our objectives are shared by people in government across the world. we are reaching out to muslims everywhere. we face a range of difficult choices in afghanistan and pakistan. the president's plan represents the best way we knew to protect our nation today or in the future. the task we face is as complex as any national security challenge in our lifetime. we will not succeed if people view this as irresponsibility of a single party, agency, or a single country. we owe it to the civilians who will face these dangers to come together as americans. we have to accomplish this mission. >> thank you. >> thank you for your time today. i support fully and without hesitation the president's decision. i appreciate the opportunity to contribute to what i believe was a healthy and productive discu

he was a senior adviser at the north atlantic treaty organization in brussels. january, 2009, he chaired a review of american policy toward afghanistan and pakistan. the results of which the president announced in his speech on march 27, 2009. he is the author of this book -- "the search for al qaeda," published by brookings press. after his talk today, he will be available for a book signing in the back. he has promised to say a few words to you and to sign the book. it is coming out in paperback. it is your last chance to get one in hard copy. bruce will be available for that briefly. after his talk, he will take questions and answers. i would like to turn the floor over to bruce. glad to have you with us. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. it is a special privilege and honor for me to be here today to speak to this audience at the jamestown foundation. they have, over the last several years, consistently provided americans and people around the world with some of the best analysis of what is going on in the terrorism world. for that reason, it

most recently the nato min stairal in brussels, allies pledged to contribute approximately 7,000 difficultroops for fging if and in all 25 countries plemped to do more in terms of troops trainers and trust fund monies. the task we face is as complex as any national security challenge in our lifetime. we will not succeed if this effort is viewed as the responsibility of a single party, agency or country. we owe it to our troops and civilian whose face these dangers to come together at americans and with allies and parter ins to help them accomplish this critical mission. i thank you for the opportunity to testify today. thank you. >> mr. chairman, senator lugar, members the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss this situation in afghanistan together with deputy secretary le wuchlt and eikenberry. i provide my assessment of the situation in iraq as commander of the multi-national force in iraq and i appreciate this opportunity to discuss the way ahead in afghanistan. let me state up front thapt i fully support the policy president obama announced at west point last week. succes

host: there is a meeting going on in brussels today.he secretary general of nato, rasmussen, spells out specific points. he says, "to be clear, transition is not a code word for exit strategy. it means transitioning to a different role." can you elaborate on that point? guest: if you read the present's speech, i think he makes it clear. with it -- if you read the president's speech, i think he makes it clear. he says that will allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of afghanistan. we will execute responsibly taking into account conditions on the ground. so i think what we are seeing here is we're saying we will excess -- we will assess where we are at that point, and how we get out depends on where the afghans are. i think nato is very important there, and he can help transition, in this training of the afghan forces. host: secretary-general rasmussen says it is not just president obama's war. "time magazine" says it is his war. guest: it is not. when i led the operation for nato back in 1995, we had 37 nations with us. 2/3 of

that secretary gates i know has to leave at noon sharp and secretary clinton needs to leave for brussels so we do want to try to wrap it up pecan. i know-- >> i am kidding, i am going with my boss. >> we would love to have had a second round of this and there will be an ongoing conversation. i think we will have chances may be to get the committee together for a good conversation rather than just the hearing and i think if you are willing to do that it would be very helpful at some point in time. senators shaheen. >> thank you mr. chairman. i want to begin by thanking each of you. >> i will tell you i don't know why we have a hurricane above us today. >> we thought it was then a bowling alley. >> it would be news to me. >> i want to applaud you and the president and everyone who has been involved in a very thorough review of what our strategy should be in afghanistan. new hampshire this week is sending another 140 national guard members over to afghanistan and is you pointed out secretary clinton these are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and we'll them and all of the men and wome

after this hearing i will leave for brussels to begin the process of securing additional afghan commitments. ambassador holbrooke is already there consulting with our allies. we have had a very encouraging response and the conversations we have thus far and we are looking beyond nato to build the strongest, the broadest possible local coalition. japan just announced a 5 billion-dollar commitment to afghanistan. we think other governments are beginning to recognize that this is a common fight against the common in many so let me conclude where i began. we face a range of difficult choices but the president's plan represents the best way beano to protect our nation today and in the future. the task we face is as complexes in the national security challenge in our lifetime. we will not succeed if people view this effort as a responsibility of a single partner, a single agency within our government or a single-- we'll it to our troops and civilians will face these dangers to come together as americans and come together with our allies in the international partners to help accomplish this missio

general ike enberg, it's awfully good to see you again and i remember many of our visits to brussels with nato parliamently assembly. general mcchrystal, i appreciate your conversation with me on the phone at the last nato pa meeting. i see and am very encouraged by the reaction of the nato parliamentarian members at the last meeting a couple, three weeks ago in edinburough, there's a new spirit and cooperation, i think for the first time in several years. it's my impression, to use a football analogy, that they realize and have no problem with the united states being the quarterback of nato, they'd just like to be in the huddle when the play is called. you, and i think the administration, have done a good job of including them in the muddle. it makes a tremendous amount of difference, let me say, in the attitude and the atmosphere where all of these parliamentarians from member nations gather. as a president of that organization for the next year, i want to thank you both for doing that. i would encourage you every way you can to always speak of this as a coalition led by and not us

they came to brussels to sell this parliament that if we pass the legislation drafted on alternativents we cut their funding by two thirds. please don't say one thing or do another. >> please keep your time because we would like to give the floor to more people. >> congratulations to cambridge. cambridge is one of the greatest universities in europe and the world and it is precisely because we don't have so many cameras in europe that they have been working to have a real research area because cambridge is an important university. they are quite international and able to attract different funding. in other countries especially small countries, some of the tourist countries they don't have that kind of resources. that is why we need not only private funding like the ones we mentioned, welcome all the force of the foundation and the ones we mention but also public funding from the state and the european union budget. that is one of the points for the european union budget. the investment managers, i don't see the link. we should not use one thing or the other. is important -- the finan

many of our visit to brussels with the nato parliamentary assembly eric general mcchrystal, i appreciateour conversation with me on the phone at the last nato pa meeting. i see and very encouraged by the reaction of the nato parliamentarian member, members at the last meeting a couple, three weeks ago. there's a new spirit and a new cooperation i think from the first time in several years. is my impression to use a football analogy that they realize and have no problem with the united states being the quarterback of nato. they would just like to be in the huddle when the plate is called. and you and i think the administration have done a good job of including them in the huddle, and it makes a tremendous amount of difference, let me say, in the attitude and the atmosphere where all of these parliamentarians from member nations gather. and as president of that organization for next year i want to thank you both for doing that. i would encourage you, everywhere you can, to always speak of this as a coalition led fight and not us going it alone. i think, i was on active duty during the viet

secretary of defense in south asia and a senior advisor at the north atlantic treaty organization of a brussels. in 2009, president obama asked him to chair a review of american policy toward afghanistan and pakistan. the results were announced in a speech on march 22, 2009. the author of this book and the leadership and ideology -- he will be available for a book signing in the back. he will promise to save you were siepi purchase the boat. he will sign it. it is coming out in paperback. this is your last chance to get one in hard copy. he will be available for that briefly. at the top he will take the questions in answers. i would like to turn the floor over tubers. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. it is an honor for me to be here today. the jamestown foundation has consistently provided americans and people around the world is some of the best analysis of what is going on. it is a very special pleasure to have this chance to be the keynote speaker. 10 months ago, i was minding my own business in my home on the eastern shore of maryland when the phone rang and a voice came o

east and south asia in the pentagon and senior adviser of north atlantic treaty organization in brusselsresident barack obama asked rest to chair a review of american policy toward afghanistan and pakistan, a result the president announced in his speech. more importantly he is the author of this book, the search for al qaeda, its leadership, ideology, and future, published by brookings press. after his talk he will be available for a book signing in the back and if you purchase the book he promises to say a few words to you and also to sign the book. it's very important book, it is coming out in paperback so it is your last chance to get one in hard copy. bruce will be available for that briefly. after his talk he will take a few questions and answers which he will address to the audience and more and portly i would like to turn the floor over to bruce and i am delighted to have you here. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. it is a special privilege and honor for me to be here today to speak to this audience at the jamestown foundation. the jamestown foundation over the la

i will leave for brussels to began the process of securing additional commitments.bassador holbrooke is their consulting with our allies. we have had an encouraging response in the conversations we have had and we're looking beyond the note to build the strongest global coalition. japan announced a $5 billion commitment to afghanistan. we think other governments are beginning to recognize this is a common fight against a common enemy. let me conclude where i began. we face a range of difficult choices. the president's plan represents the best way we now to protect our nation today and in the future. the task we face is as complex as any national security challenge in our lifetimes. we will not succeed if people view this effort as the responsibility of a single party, a single agency within our government, or a single country. we owe it to our troops and civilians who will face these dangers to come together as americans and come together with our allies and international partners to help accomplish this mission. i look forward to continuing to work with you to achi

secretary clinton needs to leave for brussels, so we want to wrap it up if we can. >> chairman, i wouldbe glad to stay. i am kidding. [laughter] >> we would have loved to have had a second round, but this is going to be an ongoing conversation > i do not know why we have a hurricane above us today. >> we thought it was a senate bowling alley. >> i want to applaud each of you and the president every one that has been involved in the very thorough review in afghanistan. these are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and we owe them and all of the men and women serving there and mission that they can understand and support, and i think it is appropriate that we continue to have a rigorous debate in congress and in the senate about congress and in the senate about what we are go) á/@@ @ @ @ ih @ guys to think differently about the future. this is really about getting the foot soldiers to decide that they do not want to be a part of the taliban any more. we have some very limited, anecdotal information about people deciding they did not want to fight for the taliban any more and going ba