dialogue on afghanistan. if iran is going to be playing a more constructive role in afghanistan, it's going to expect something in return and this is the tricky part that the ambassador mentioned. can the united states continue to put pressure on iran over its nuclear program and still offer iran something to be -- behave in a more constructive manner in afghanistan? i think one of the answers is transit trade through iran from afghanistan and central asia. it should be encouraged, not discouraged and there's a question of energy pipelines through iran. this is a controversial topic in afghanistan. this is something that's been discouraged but if we want help to central asian countries it would seem that the more routes from central asia to the -- the more ways in which trades can go to india thailand, the better. this is the dilemma the united states is going to have to deal with. pakistan right now is far more unstable than iran is and if you want to benefit to central agency, you should keep that in mind. we are i

iran, i mentioned human rights. but also, continuing to reach out to the iranian government over the nuclear issue, over afghanistan, put the onus on iran to project negotiations. do not totally pivot to sanctions and containment. we've done very well on that front, but i think the u.s. should also be constantly looking for possible avenues for dialogue with iran, especially as we see the developments in the region. there will be people in the iranian government who will be looking for, if not a resolution of differences with united states, at least two laid the groundwork for the changes, and there will be changes. >> thank you all, that was excellent. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] [unintelligible] >> next, a conversation with middle eastern women taking part in protests in the country. then the u.s. ambassador to live it talks about the situation in the country. after that, for the nicolas sarkozy talks about in don't military operations in libya. to end this week and on booktv, the washington post reporter leaves a discussion on th

afghanistan iran egypt. libya. when it comes to u.s. foreign policy this country's hands are not just full there are often times that secretary of state hillary clinton. hard with the task of laying out a plan for the future generations of americans including my own have grown up successful and safe because we chose to lead the world in tackling the greatest challenges but now clear signs that the challenges and the times are changing a lot of the people in this country have come to the conclusion that our policy overhaul has been inconsistent that sometimes we support the bad guys and the bad guys become our enemy. when eleven has been a major year with major shifts in prominence and power in northern africa and the middle. and signs that us will influence maybe we need just days

one was all about security and high politics it was about the new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment that crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries trying to build the confidence that the vice president just talked to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper and its social root. well let's get more and other international news making headlines this hour the board school ame up to six people have been killed and hundreds injured in violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters in yemen of the authorities stormed a makeshift camp of thousands of demonstrators in the capital they use live bullets tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds of protesters responded with a hail of rocks and live ammunition in the demonstrators ha

one was all about security and high politics it was about the new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment that crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries and trying to build the confidence that the vice president want to just talk to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper and its social route well let's get more on some other international news making headlines and that is the last rally of the lebanese capital beirut to the disarming of hezbollah fundamentalists the ground supporters of the prime minister. said down after his unity government talents. and its allies pulled out of the town but it's a u.n. tribunal which is likely to implicate its members in the two thousand and five killing of how we respond when the us premiere. but horrific. has c

one was all about security and high politics it was about the new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment that crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries trying to build the confidence that the vice president just talked to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper and its social route also the. thought of the issue of russia's accession to the world trade organization joe biden pledged his personal support for the eliminating the jaxon van and the end is russia's accession to the group washington bridge parts already said as well it's a matter of the purse so why is it taking so long for this to go. well i think there are a couple different issues one is the w t o and there there has been a lot of political interference at one point russia itself back

one was all about security and high politics it was about a new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment that crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries trying to build the confidence that the vice president not just talked to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper and its social route we'll take you through some other international news that making headlines today at least one person died in the hundred injured it demonstrations in yemen after police opened fire on a dozen suffered from tear gas inhalation during the violent clashes which saw people demanding the end of president early of doulas sellers thirty two year rule it follows the deaths of at least six protesters on saturday to go but uprisings in yemen have been going on now since mid fe

was all about security and high politics and it was about the new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan i mean i really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start and now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact across the investment that crosses the borders and people traveling more between the two countries are trying to build the confidence that the vice president how to just talk to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper and its social roots. this is i see coming to you live from moscow and look if you are doing that on the latest news coming out of japan and you can also find the latest on our web site us here at home that lines up next interested. in the. question is the same of your ideas for the other the limits of your self worth to states if they drift to the right all across europe and the u.s. more and more people are given the political right and you would look and more times t

one was all about security and high politics it was about the new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're talking about is more societal cantar at cross when it crosses the borders people traveling more than twenty two countries are trying to build the confidence that the vice president just talked to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper in its social roots. now let's get more nothing to our national news making headlines around the world at least one person has done the one hundred one hundred antigovernment protests and gone there after police opened fire on crowds of the council six and all were killed on saturday demonstrating for their ends to resident. thirty two year rule witnesses were also bombarded with which was that of injuries there's been continual unrest against the dictates of this mid february. u.s. state d

washington today so the nation is exhausted by two major military and military campaigns one iraq iran afghanistan now the possibility of a third major military interaction by the u.s. how are people reacting to that possibility. well if you want your merican television you get the impression that america's involvement is a really good thing and that there was no other option but intervention but if you look at the polls the majority of americans of polls the u.s. involvement in the intervention fox news sixty five percent they're already unhappy that their government is spending their tax dollars in inconclusive wars in iraq and afghanistan and adding one more hot spot is the last thing they want to fishel here promise it's going to be a fast war obama said that there will be no u.s. troops on the ground could happen military is no match for the capabilities of the coalition forces it could just hours to cripple his air defense u.s. has launched missiles from its war ships and submarines in the mediterranean targeting added his air defense systems and clearing the sky to make sure khadafi is not

was all about security and high politics it was about the new start treaty the missile defense iran afghanistan and that really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment that crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries trying to build the confidence that the vice president just talked to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deeper in its social roots and it takes a top international news stories of briefings one person has died and over one hundred in government protests together of the police opened fire on crowds and six small killed the demonstrating for an end to u.s. backed president always thirty two year rule testers were also bombarded with tear gas which call further it has been continual unrest against that dictator since. the u.s. face of a spokesman p.j. crowley is quit following criticism he may. harsh ja

one was all about security and high politics it was about a new start treaty missile defense iran afghanistan i mean it really came to a close when the russian parliament and the u.s. senate ratified start now i think what we're looking at is more societal contact cross investment it crosses the borders people traveling more between the two countries are trying to build the confidence that the vice president not to just talk to security is obviously going to be there both in north africa and trying to get us russian cooperation on missile defense but i think we're now seeing the relationship broaden out in deepen its social roots. let's get some other international news back in the headlines now this hour and israel will build several hundred homes for jewish settlers in the occupied west bank the official and elsewhere and comes a day after five israeli settlers were killed in their sleep two children and a baby were among those to death it's a suspected palestinian militants who are responsible as the means have refused to negotiate with israel until construction has halted in the disputed

. >> what is the nature of iran's role in afghanistan? is it entirely malignant or are there opportunities for cooperation? >> let me answer that. because i think what you see with iran and afghanistan is a degree of con felix. almost bipolarity. you have on the one hand, security services in iran which have of course been greatly strengthened in years as a result of the sprem leader having to put down the riots and the demonstrations in the wake over the hijacked elections a year and a half ago. owso you have these security services. the irani revolutionary guards force providing training, equipping and funding and so forth to the afghan taliban and of course we publicly announced the seizure of 28122 rockets across the border in afghanistan after they were seized. it wasn't a coincidence that we were there and that those elements were there. these rockets are more than double the range of the so 7's that we have seen in the past. there is also an effort to use soft power to influence various political figures. it was remarked that presid

dialogue on afghanistan. if iranis going to be playing a more constructive role in afghanistan, it's going to expect something in return, and this is the tricky part that the ambassador mentioned. can the united states continue to put pressure on iran over its nuclear program and still offer iran something to behave in a more constructive manner in afghanistan? i think one of the answers is transit trade through iran from afghanistan and central asia. this should be encouraged. it shouldn't be discouraged. and there's also the question of energy pipelines through iran. this is a controversial topic in afghanistan, something -- in washington, this is something that's been discouraged, but if we want to help central asian countries, turkmenistan, afghanistan, it would seem that the more routes from central asia to the sea, the more ways in which trade can go to india, thailand, other countries, the better. and this is a dilemma the united states is going to have to deal with, it's going to have to reconcile. pakistan r

afghanistan? there is also the matter of energy pipelines in iran. in washington, this is something that has been discouraged. we want to help afghanistan. it would seem that the more routes from central asia to the sea, the more ways trait can go to india thailand and other countries, the better. this is a dilemma the united states is quick to have to deal with and reconcile. pakistan is far more unstable than iran. if you want a benefit for central asia, you should keep that in mind. as the ambassador manchin this is similar to the situation we had with the old -- as the ambassador mentioned this is similar to the situation we had with the old soviet union. iran will change. if there is anything we have learned from the middle east, it is that governments can change. it is important to lay the groundwork for a better relationship with iran. iran will change. if we can make some progress on this issue of afghanistan it may be easier to talk to iran about the nuclear issue about human rights and other issues we care about in the region. i will stop th

you did not hear people from egypt, iran, afghanistan, anybody like that sending any help to those people. but we spend billions of our budget for those other countries. so wake up, america. let's get some money back into those countries. host: moving on to albuquerque, new mexico. kenny, a democrat. caller thank you for taking my call. some really good debate going on this money. i agree with my republican colleagues there, i cannot wait to see ron paul trying to get around to the debate, because it is interesting how they lock him out in the past. also talking about entitlement spending, i think we should address some of the subsidies going to oil companies if you want to be serious about balancing the budget. i think what the gridlock is showing in washington is that we desperately need a third party. that is when we can come together as americans and get our best ideas to solve these complex but important issues. thank you for taking my call. host: let's touch on the oil part of that comment. the situation in the millies, rising gas prices, we had speaker boehner come out this week to

presidential office we can see the first practical results of that approach like better cooperation on afghanistan iran north korea signing of the new strategic arms reduction. treaty signing of the nuclear military cooperation agreement as far as afghanistan is concerned just yesterday present ready why did an agreement which allows for. transit up military hardware and personal ghana stand through the russian territories there are some pretty cheap and very sensitive issues at the moment on the table like we sold to france and europe but it seems that it's one of the only remaining between moscow and washington ok well thank you very much for that update r.t. if you go through the integral reporting from the russian capital. our political analysts troitsky joins me to talk more about joe biden's visit thank you very much for joining me in the studio well coming into this is washington seriously thinking of convincing moscow to change its stance towards libya what arguments could biden put forward. well i. think biden does have a mandate to negotiate some kind of coordination with more school on the s

the work force, did you take into account the men and women coming back from the wars iraq, iran and afghanistan? which has absolutely changed their family situation, financial situation and the need which is quite important to look at, both parents working or single-family, announcing change and the second thing i would like to ask in regards to domestic violence because i worked with women with domestic violence when the act was put into place but we are not talking about it. there are now more women -- is not the pc thing to discuss and talk about. is not appropriate for this conference but it has been reversed. women are now -- there's more domestic violence among women and that is interesting. thank you. >> let me ask becky to talk about it. >> i enjoyed seattle. say hi to gary locke. >> let me say each of these charts has a matching section intended for the report and you can look up where the data comes from. all the different data sources with random samples are different depending on what the source is. there is not a single answer to your question. they are all representative and all t

iran is a more difficult partner. the short version is in afghanistan since 2001 iran has largely been a supporter of of what we want to do because they hate the taliban. the trick here is to somehow segway off their relatively positive pursuits in afghanistan from the so many other things where we have very serious disagreements with them. that's a very tricky diplomatic problem to pursue. >> do no harm, does that suggest that the drone attacks aredown productive? are counterproductive? >> i'm glad you brought this up. if i were to teach -- i teach at johns hopkins. if i were to teach a course in decision making, i would use the drones as a classic example. the drones, which is an operation president obama inherited from president bush; president bush created the infrastructure, obama very skillfully has exploited it, but it started under bush, are our only real way of putting pressure on al-qaeda in pakistan today. and it works. it has put a lot of pressure on them. al-zawahiri u.s.ed to put -- used to put out a new message every other week. last year

you did not hear people from egypt, iran, afghanistan, anybody like that sending any help to those people. but we spend billions of our budget for those other countries. so wake up, america. let's get some money back into those countries. host: moving on to albuquerque, new mexico. kenny, a democrat. caller: thank you for taking my call. some really good debate going on this money. i agree with my republican colleagues there, i cannot wait to see ron paul trying to get around to the debate, because it is interesting how they lock him out in the past. also talking about entitlement spending, i think we should address some of the subsidies going to oil companies if you want to be serious about balancing the budget. i think what the gridlock is showing in washington is that we desperately need a third party. that is when we can come together as americans and get our best ideas to solve these complex but important issues. thank you for taking my call. host: let's touch on the oil part of that comment. the situation in the millies, rising gas prices, we had speaker boehner come out this week t

what is the nature of iran's role in afghanistan? is it entirely malignant or are there opportunities for cooperation this? >> yes, let me answer that. i think what you see with iran and afghanistan is a degree of conflict and almost by the clarity. you have on the one signed the security services of iran which have of course been greatly strengthened in recent years as a result of the supreme leader having to turn to them in such a significant way to put down the riots and demonstrations in the wake of the hijacked elections a year and a half ago. and so you have these security services, the revolutionary guards quds force foremost among them providing training, equipping funding and so forth to the afghan taliban, and of course we publicly announced the seizure of the 48, 122-millimeter and rockets just across the border in southwestern afghanistan after they were seized in the joint special operations. it wasn't a coincidence that we were there and it wasn't a coincidence those elements were there. the rockets are more than double

reduction treaty the peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement much deeper collaboration on iran and north korea on afghanistan that is what both sides describe as when wins are the result. all stay in touch around the clock online at r.t. dot com and here is what some of the news analysis on the web site right now these are real some fortune with i remember seeing right turn it takes to moscow's retro kora museum. and discover how it has steam that i got on when they came up against brazilian football legends from past and present i became to the russian republic for a friendly match. oh hearings will soon get underway in the u.s. congress over the radicalization of american muslims they're being led by homeland security chairman peter king who says they are vital to protect the country but as artie's kill him for reports critics say there are disturbing parallels to america's notorious political witch hunts of the one nine hundred fifty s. . during america's second red scare this was the accusation to answer. today it's this why muslim leaders are not doing enough to cooperate with law enforcement there's ac

western part of the country is the most prosperous in afghanistan primarily because of the actions of iranian businessmen who have set up shop there. iranenefiting from new transit corridors from central asia and afghanistan that go through iran. iran can do much better if not for sanctions. they are an impediment, especially to energy trade. at the same time, there are irritants in this relationship. they stem from history. the two people were part of the same empire for centuries. both afghans and iranians see themselves as the origin of persian culture. afghans have been treated as second-class citizens. means of afghans have fled to iran. there have been more recent year tense. it is a problem with iran that when it goes into a country it tries to do it with too many different forces. this is translated cash payments to karzai and members of his cabinet but also to elements of the taliban. this winter, iran held up 2500 fuel trucks. the motivation remains somewhat mysterious. i have heard a lot of different accounts. some say the fuel was bell for nato forces, which was not true. others say it was a message to karzai not to ignore i

power like cutting off the field to afghanistan a couple of months ago as a reminder of how important access to that is. yet, there is no desire of on behalf of irano see the afghan town of them returned to power. -- afghan taliban return to power. they are a shi'ite state. they do not want them going back to power in afghanistan. so you the narcotics industry that has since lived quite a substantial number of young iranians. it is similar interests and to get afghan refugees who have returned to afghanistan in very large numbers in recent years from iran, pakistan, and others, but to get more those home as well. >> i have some questions about the continuing resolution. the stopgap continuing in the stopgap continuing in anyway,

workforce, did you take into account the men and women who are coming back from the wars in iraq, iran, and afghanistan, which has absolutely change their family situation, financial situation, and the needs -- because that is really quite important to look at -- they may have had both parents working, and now things have changed. the second thing i would like to ask with regard to domestic violence, because i have worked with women with domestic violence, and i am glad it is then put into place, but there are now more women beating up on men but it is not the pc thing to discuss and talk about. i noticed it is not appropriate for this conference, -- i know that it is not prepared for this conference but it is reversed. there is more domestic violence among women and i think that that is interesting. >> i enjoyed seattle. hello to gary ross. >> each of these charts has a matching sections independence of the report. you can look up with the data comes from. this is the opinion of what the sources. there are representative of all the trends that we show here, the requirements for statistical significanc

afghanistan? are there opportunities for cooperation? >> let me answer that. i think what you see with iran in afghanistan is a degree of conflict, almost bipolar. you see on the one hand security services of iran which have been greatly strengthened in recent years as a result of the supreme leader having turned to than in such a significant way to put down the riots and demonstrations in the wake of the hijacked election the year-and-a-half ago. so you have the security services. the iranian revolutionary guard people foremost among them, providing training, funding and so forth to the afghan taliban and we publicly announce the seizure of 48, 122 mm rockets south of the border in afghanistan after they were seized and joined isaf special operation. wasn't a coincident that we were there and it wasn't the win since that those efforts were there. these rockets are more than double the range of the 107s we have seen in the past and double the bursting radius. that is a big concern. there's also an effort to use of power to influence various political figures. it was remarked that the chief

what is the nature of iran's role in afghanistan? is it entirely malignant or there are opportunities of cooperation? >> let me answer that. because i think what you see with iran in afghanistan is a degree of conviction, almost by polarity. you have on the one hand the security services of iran, which have been greatly strengthened in recent years as a result of the supreme leader having to turn to them in such a significant way to put down the demonstrations in the wake of the high-tech elections a year and a half ago. so you had these security services, the iranian revolutionary guard force foremost among them, providing training, funding, and so forth to the afghan taliban. of course, we publicly announced the seizure of 48 122 mm rockets just across the border in afghanistan after they were taken after a special operation. it was not a coincidence that we were there and was not a coincidence that these elements were there. these rockets are more than double the range of the ones we have seen in the past, double the payload, and d

>> needless to say that the more that all the neighbors of afghanistan -- not just pakistan and iran,ut the more that all the neighbors help afghanistan, obviously, the higher the prospects are for an enduring win as you put it. >> well, are you seeing that type of help? i know when i was there, it didn't seem like there was a whole heck of a lot of help. >> we are seeing considerable help by afghanistan's neighbors to the north who provide electricity, who are allowing the northern distribution network as we call it now to transit their soil, and who are providing a variety of different forms of assistance. everything from humanitarian assistance, again, to goods and services. as i mentioned earlier, iran has, indeed, without question provided weapons, training, funding, and so forth for the taliban. but still in measured amounts. it's certainly not an all out escalation or something like that. and we think, again, that's because they are conflicted. they don't really want to see. it's a very cynical approach if you think about it. they want to provide enough assistance to the taliba

mission will affect afghanistan and iran? >> i just missed the last question. and the part. i just missed do you think it will affect the mission in afghanistan did you say? >> yes. >> well, we are well aware of the burden that i think secretary gates obviously has spoken about the burdens on the u.s. military at this time. so we are obviously keenly aware of those burdens. but again, which is why we've been clear all along that the enforcement of a no-fly zone in libya is clearly an international effort and with the u.s. obviously in the lead in front with some other key allies and partners and evolving more into an international partnership. back and then you, sir? >> turkey. turkey question. >> according to the turkish officials, there were negotiations ongoing before the operation before last saturday. and between the opposition party in libya and the gadhafi circle anded -- and the turkey was in the negotiation. suddenly the french government started to bomb libya. >> i'm not aware of any details on that story. i don't have anything to say. i mean -- i'm not aware of it.

can we are talking about afghanistan, iran, as opposed to pakistan or the cia. am wondering if the army also takes part in these sort of jag operations in deciding on whether or not someone can be targeted. how it is a question of whether the army and the air force collaborate on this, because in fact, often in afghanistan the iraqi air force and army are working together on this particular operation. and then i'm going to pause at a hypothetical question. let's suppose we are in marja and helmand in afghanistan and i have been targeted by an air force grown. a let's say i and sophisticated enough to understand the system, or let's say, i have called nils and said, what do i do? a drum has attacked my family. however my tooth -- a drone has attacked my family. how am i able to contact an army jag? how do i contact the jag system so i can track down the people who made the legal decision, how does that happen in a practical terms, not theoretical terms? because this is something that does not -- that does take place. and this is a legal system that i, as a victim

we will have to see a run in india and the bordering states of afghanistan -- iran and india and the bordering states of afghanistan help. they can help the afghan parties. they will need a moderator or explorer. as they make progress, and we hope they will, we would see a role for agreements among the regional states and others who are friends of afghanistan about how to reinforce and respect the agreement, decide what status afghanistan would have as a result of what the afghans want. is it neutrality or non- alignment? we would continue the assistance that afghanistan needs long after any peace. you're optimistic about the means for negotiations -- we are optimistic about the need for negotiations. we have no wish to contribute -- no way to be sure it will be successful but it is much better than continuing to fight. host: another underlying factor is the economy. the afghan people who want jobs. they're in transition from the poppy fields. host: this comes to the question i was about to get to. it is perfect, in that sense. there is no question at all in our minds that there has b

workforce, did you take into account the men and women who are coming back from the wars in iraq, iran, and afghanistan, which has absolutely change their family situation, financial situation, and the needs -- because that is really quite important to look at -- they may have had both parents working, and now things have changed. the second thing i would like to ask with regard to domestic violence, because i have worked with women with domestic violence, and i am glad it is then put into place, but there are now more women beating up on men but it is not the pc thing to discuss and talk about. i noticed it is not appropriate for this conference, -- i know that it is not prepared for this conference but it is reversed. there is more domestic violence among women and i think that that is interesting. >> i enjoyed seattle. hello to gary ross. >> each of these charts has a matching sections independence of the report. you can look up with the data comes from. this is the opinion of what the sources. there are representative of all the trends that we show here, the requirements for statistical significanc

the afghanistan war to the iran/iraq war to everything. the rise of radical islam. so he has become and his fall has become a pivotal event, i think, of the latter part of the 20th century. understanding his fall enables us to understand what's going on in the middle east today and understanding his fall, i think, makes us understand what's going on inside iran today. >> rose: what does it explain about what's going on in iran today? >> essentially i think the coalition of forces that came together to overthrow the shah in '72 are now very much the core of the green revolution with one exception. some of the conservative clerics like khameni are on the other side and some of the hoodlums and street toughs and some segments of the poor that are getting paid by the regime have joined that minority, they are the government and the bulk of the society is essentially trying to get what they thought they were promised in 1979 which was a democracy and has not yet happened. >> rose: so their revolution was hijackd? >> i think that's a perfect way of putting it. the revolut

the best way you can contain iran is by keeping american forces in afghanistan and iraq. other issue that is always brought up is how much we're spending there. that is money being spent to fund american soldiers to buy food for american soldiers, to and for americans'bullet what ever the materials are. they're not spending $130 billion going to the afghans or the rocky -- or the iraqis. the of the thing that bothers me, it seems like every other month we have one of these poll coming out from "the new york times" or "the washington post ." we need to wise up and contain iran. we need to use our american football in -- american foothold in afghanistan and iraq. host: let's take a look at the numbers from the congressional research service looking at war funding. $751 billion has gone to the war in iraq. $336 have gone to the war in afghanistan. $6 billion is unallocated. atlanta, georgia, alan, democratic caller. caller: good morning. the question should have been asked -- when did we lose in afghanistan? it is clear to me that we lost this war years ago. it has become po

treaty ratified, increased cooperation on afghanistan, and putting into place stiff sanctions against iran to curb hopefully and thwart its nuclear ambitions. the reset also provides a path to seek an agreement on missile defense cooperation which would enhance our national security. missile defense cooperation with russia has the potential for enhancing the capability of the european phased adapted approach which is why allied leaders reaffirm this in lisbon. and president medvedev has embraced the idea of missile defense cooperation as well. if we can work this out, there is an opportunity for a missile defense partnership that continues to move our relationship to one based on mutually assured stability, not mutually assured destruction and one that enhances our collective security. russia has assets it can bring to the table like their early warning radars. we are eager to begin a joint analysis, doing exercises, and sharing early warning data that can form the basis for a cooperative missile defense system. we will work together to ensure that our missile defense systems are mutually

iran after u.k. and nato forces seized what they say were iranian weapons heading for the taliban in afghanistan a william hague leaves the arms were clearly intended for insurgents to kill afghan and international troops from a significant range iran denies it's behind the shipment of forty eight rockets and other ammunition that were recovered after a firefight which saw a number of insurgents killed. in heavy rain and strong winds are battering the southeastern u.s. tearing apart buildings and overturning cars at least three turn nato's blew through louisiana with others reported in alabama flash flood warnings are in effect in mississippi with roads in several counties flooded there are similar problems much further north with a further juge expected in new jersey. later we take some time out for a trip to the picturesque landscape of the north caucuses. observe nature and discover if buzy. be communicate with the why only. test yourself and become free. and. see what nature can give you on all and see. all that said for now up next the business news of current. carol welcome to business here now and

if the war is now being fought in iraq and iran -- i mean, afghanistan, these came about as a result of what was happening with the bush administration. why does obama get the blame? secondly, i am a native washingtonian. i want to know why this last colony, the washington, d.c., area does not have the rights to tell the congress how we want to have our money spent. can you speak to that please? guest: it does not change the issues that we are facing. we still have two wars going on in iraq and in afghanistan that were started during the last administration. i cannot speak to the issue washington d.c. this does not back -- the metal eased and japan -- the metal eased and japan, it will have impact in the short term. we still have these issues to deal with. congress and the administration are going to have to figure out spending for the long-term well- being of the security interests of this country. host: from the u.s. commerce department, we have the numbers regarding the u.s. economy. gdp in the fourth quarter was up 3.1%. corporate profit reports were up 2.3%. let's take this phon

prosperous so or want to focus on the academic studies so i have to go off to afghanistan and iraq and now libya and who knows iran in the future so i would definitely impose a national draft for those who want to fight so be it for those who want to do volunteer service so be it so that you have to give a minimum of two hours of service to your country in some capacity and your college credits and you can come back another or maybe some money they don't help you in whatever studies you need whether it's vocational technical training or academic studies i'm in total already with you surprised we're actually in solidarity on this issue at the re the first time heard as the you and i haven't ended up shouting at each. just just. you know broadly i'm curious your thoughts on the situation in libya i don't know if you caught in the earlier parts of the show but but my take on it is that the constitution clearly says only congress has the power to declare war the founders were very explicit they didn't want the president to have that power and and that's why you know it's and it's in article one of the constitution to

countries like iran and india, the central asian neighbors of afghanistan, and beyond, but also closely related, china and russia. japan, the european union, turkey is an interesting possibility given its important role in the region and its current involvement in afghanistan. we are not prescriptive with respect to that. the role will be initially it to work closely with a facilitator to help cement ties and bring forward the kind of agreements that are absolutely necessary to see the interest-afghan part of the process. the central be -- the second role will be negotiate to understand how and what way the international community will both support what it is that the afghans can agree, support what the afghans would like with respect to their future status in the region and the world, making commitments themselves on critical questions regarding the future of afghanistan. wherever required t, security ad and assistance to help against any resurgence of al qaeda. a whole series of issues having to do with the international gold at afghanistan -- peacekeeping. that needs to be monitored