Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts

Friday, October 3, 2014

Senator Levin - Proud of Afghan Progress

Senator Carl Levin (Democrat Michigan) is retiring from the Senate after serving 36 years. He currently chairs the armed services committee and has been a leading advocate for the military. At a breakfast with members of the press he expressed the hope that the media will recognize the good progress made in Afghanistan. He believes that the press is painting a picture of gloom and doom about Afghanistan while ignoring many of the successes that have been achieved. Read more in "Senior Democrat: We Should Be Proud of Afghanistan Progress", Time.com, September 25, 2014. (In the photo Sen Levin meets with LTG Mark Milley Oct 2103 in Afghanistan, photo by SSG Richard Andrade ISAF HQ PA).

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Gen Allen and Congress: Corruption and Insurgent Safe Havens in Pakistan

General Allen has been testifying before Congress the last few days. During his testimony he stated that two of the biggest problems in ending the Afghan War successfully are corruption in the Afghan government and the insurgents access to sanctuary in Pakistan. Read more in "Allen: Corruption, safe havens block Afghan success", The Washington Times, March 22, 2012.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Gen Allen Testimony Before Congress

General Allen testified before Congress on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 (the first of three days of testimony). The top allied commander in Afghanistan covered a range of topics to include the time-table for departure, shifting focus from southern Afghanistan to eastern Afghanistan, Afghan sensitivities in regards to administration of prisons, night raids by ISAF special forces, and transition of security responsibilities from ISAF to Afghan security forces. In addition, he addressed the recent problems associated with the Koran burnings and the Panjwai killings. He acknowledged that insurgencies have seldom been defeated by foreign forces - that history shows indigenous forces accomplish this counterinsurgency task best. Thus he states that transition to the Afghans doing the fighting is both the exit means and the strategy for success after our departure. Read a news article about his testimony in "U.S. General Sees No Sudden Afghan Drawdown", The New York Times, March 20, 2012.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

General Allen to Brief Congress on Afghan War this Week

General John Allen and Defense Department Policy Undersecretary James Allen will brief both houses of Congress this week on the Afghan War. Read more in "The week ahead: Top commander to brief Congress on Afghanistan", The Hill Blog, March 19, 2012.