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McHugh Opening Statement for Hearing on Ongoing Security and Stability Operations in Afghanistan
Washington D.C. – Standing in on behalf of Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA), U.S. Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) today served as the senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee and delivered the following opening statement for the committee’s hearing on ongoing security and stability operations in Afghanistan:
“Thank you to our Chairman, Ike Skelton, for holding today’s hearing on the status of the current U.S. strategy and operations in Afghanistan and the way ahead. This is an important and timely hearing. Afghanistan is a critical front in the global war against radical Islamists. Achieving security and stability in Afghanistan is important for the Afghan people, Americans, and the international community.
“I would like to recognize our witnesses. Secretary Gates, welcome home. Having just returned from your third trip to Afghanistan, we look forward to your on-the-ground and strategic assessment of the opportunities and challenges facing Afghanistan. Admiral Mullen, welcome home to you as well. Thank you for being here so soon after returning from a quick trip to the Middle East. We welcome you in front of this Committee for the first time as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and look forward to your testimony.
“Gentlemen, your testimony offers our Members an opportunity to reflect on the tactical successes and challenges we are seeing in Afghanistan. Today, I also look forward to receiving your assessment of the current strategic environment and gaining a better understanding of how the Department of Defense is working with its interagency and international partners to advance security, stability, and economic prosperity at the strategic level. I also look forward to hearing how we intend to establish the conditions necessary for the Afghan government and people to continue progress for future generations.
“Since 2001, the United States and the international community, in cooperation with Afghanistan, have remained committed to abolishing those conditions that foster support and safe harbor for radical Islamists and rebuilding Afghanistan as a moderate and stable nation.
“Given the baseline of where we started in 2001, Afghanistan has made notable progress, including: the adoption of a new constitution; elections that led to their first democratically-elected President and Parliament and established a democratic forum to deliberate and resolve differences; growth in the size and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces; construction of new schools, health clinics, and roads throughout the country; personal freedoms previously forbidden by the Taliban; and new opportunities for women to participate in civic and economic life.
“Unfortunately, progress in Afghanistan has been met by serious challenges as well: security has deteriorated since 2006, particularly in the south; the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces maintain shortages in critical military capabilities and “national” caveats hamper where and how “their” troops operate; poppy cultivation and opium production are at their highest levels; gaps exist in training and equipping the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police; and the Taliban and al Qaeda continue to take refuge and regroup in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area and North West Frontier Province.
“Today, we hope to learn what the Department of Defense is doing to address these challenges—particularly its efforts to sever the Taliban’s resurgence of violence and influence, resolve NATO’s shortcomings, support reconstruction and development; and accelerate and expand the training and equipping of the Afghan National Security Forces.
“By their actions, Afghans, Americans, and our international partners—military and civilians—have demonstrated the resolve to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan. Our discussion today should focus on what we are doing here in Washington to ensure their achievements on both the strategic and tactical levels, as well as the resources needed for near- and long-term successes.”
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