Clinton, Gates Testify Before Congress
On Tuesday, President Obama outlined his new strategy for Afghanistan in a speech at West Point. The comprehensive plan includes sending an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan and strengthening and building the civilian involvement in the region. On Wednesday and Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mike Mullen reiterated the goals of the Administration in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senate Armed Services Committee. Each of them repeatedly emphasized the critical importance of empowered, well-resourced civilian diplomacy and development efforts to achieving U.S. goals and enhancing U.S. national security. The Members of Congress listening largely supported the increased civilian engagement. Even Senator John McCain (R-AZ), a frequent critic of President Obama’s policies in Afghanistan, remarked, “Greater military force is necessary to succeed in Afghanistan, but it’s not sufficient… We can only succeed in Afghanistan if we have a joint civil military campaign plan unified at every level from top to bottom…”
The whole transcript is available on the Joint Chiefs of Staff website.
