Doneford testifying on a military strategy on south asia that includes india pack tan and afghanistan. This hearing is just getting underway. These fundamental issues do need to be discussed openly for the American People and for those who have sacrificed over the last 16 years. Thats the reason we are here today. Mr. Smith. Thank you mr. Chairman. And i think the chairman raised all the questions that need to be raised. This is offense a revery difficult part of the world. We clearly have National Security interests in how afghanistan is governed and pakistan as well. Going back to 2001 when the then Afghanistan Government led by the taliban allowed al qaeda to have safe haven to plot and plan terrorist attacks against the u. S. , including 9 11. Making sure we dont return to toes days is clearly in our National Security interests. What is not as clear is how we do that and what the cost is of our current effort. Afghanistan is a very difficult place to govern. I think one of the thin
People including many military officers are accused of trying to assassinate president raja typo on prosecutors are seeking life sentences on the night of the two policemen were killed in the hotel word along with staying the president says the location was bombed minutes after he left. Pardon me joins us in studio nashs been covering the events from turkey for aljazeera for several years now also seen in theres a lot of trials that are going on connected to this failed coup whats the significance of this when. This is one of the most most important free trials actually it is important because it targeted. Directly and president is the plaintiff the complainant party in this trial also puts a lucky man who is said to be the perpetrator the mass in mind of the failed quits on foot is the number one suspect who is currently at large so these are the basic points because there you have two dominant names and at trial. When do we expect to get the verdict and what do we expect a reaction t
General dunford thanks on behalf of those military Service Members and veterans for your dedication and your persistence on behalf of victory with the global war on terrorism. And what we would like each of you to address our rules of engagement during the Previous Administration to introduce that resolution with those existing rules of engagement in the effort in that complex environment glutted the status of the new rules of engagement . Those old rules included rules of engagement and operating principles including the requirement for proximity of the enemy to be engaged. President trump has told me i have the authority to change that so that opens the enemy were ever found it to the nato air support. So first we have had a reduction in the number of deaths as a result of the coalition and operations. We will take every human possible step but the rules themselves permit being gauged forces to bring air support by extending which units are advised that mean they had a convoluted way
Defense secretary james mattis and general joseph doneford were on capitol hill this week testifying on President Trumps new military strategy in afghanistan and discussed the need to remove terrorist safe havens in other parts of the globe. It ran three hours. Committee will come to order. Committee welcomes secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff today for a hearing on afghanistan and south asia. The secretary had had previously indicated he would be back to discuss the approach to the region once it is decided and thats the topic for today. I understand there are many issues facing the department and this committee but in the interest of time and focus i want to encourage members to confine their questions to todays subject. The United States officially launched Operation Enduring freedom on october 7th, 2001, just about exactly 16 years ago. Approximately 2,400 American Service members have lost their lives in the conflict. Another 20,000 or so have been
South asia. The secretary had had previously indicated he would be back to discuss the approach to the region once it is decided and thats the topic for today. I understand there are many issues facing the department and this committee but in the interest of time and focus i want to encourage members to confine their questions to todays subject. The United States officially launched Operation Enduring freedom on october 7th, 2001, just about exactly 16 years ago. Approximately 2,400 American Service members have lost their lives in the conflict. Another 20,000 or so have been wounded. As this administration formulates its policies, the American People and members of congress have basic questions such as does American National security still warrant our military presence in afghanistan . Do we have a strategy to succeed or one to avoid failure . How is this administrations approach different from previous approaches . And can we ever be successful in the face of afghan corruption and af