Statement of Subcommittee Chairman Vic Snyder
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
Hearing on "A Third Way: Alternative Futures for Iraq"
July 25, 2007
"The hearing will come to order. Good morning and welcome to the third in a series of four hearings that the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding this month on alternative strategies for Iraq.
"As I have stated previously, we are holding these hearings because my colleague, Mr. Akin, and I have both been frustrated by the tone of the debate about Iraq this year, and the polarization that has occurred. We wanted to have a series of hearings in which we invited smart, experienced people to help us identify and develop alternative approaches for Iraq. Our intent is not to critique current or past policies, but to focus on the future. Through these hearings, we hope to enhance the public debate and inform full committee deliberations.
"I think we are off to an excellent start. Over the past two weeks, we have heard from retired senior military officers, defense policy experts, and academics who specialize on the Middle East, including General Wesley Clark, Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Muqtedar Khan of the University of Delaware and Brookings Institute, and Dr. Daniel Byman of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
"At the same time, the full committee has held hearings on trends and recent security developments in Iraq, and this afternoon, will hold a joint session with the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to receive testimony regarding implications of the recent National Intelligence Estimate with respect to Al-Qaeda.
"We have asked our witnesses to look forward rather than backward. We are not intent on rehashing how we got to where we are. Instead, the witnesses have been asked to address alternative strategies, and have been given guidance that should allow the subcommittee and the public to draw comparisons in key areas. Each witness today has provided us with a written statement, and I think it is clear we have a real variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. I hope that today will bring a vigorous discussion not only between the subcommittee members and the witnesses, but between the witnesses themselves. Anyone who was here two weeks ago for our first hearing, (the audio from that session which is available on the Armed Services website) will tell you that is exactly the kind of productive exchange we are looking for.
"Today's hearing will begin with a statement from the Honorable Bing West, an award-winning author, correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, former Marine combat commander, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs during the Reagan Administration.
"Mr. West will be followed by Major General Paul Eaton, who retired from the Army in 2006 after 33 years of military service, including command of the initial effort to develop a New Iraqi Army in 2003-2004.
"Our third witness is Colonel Paul Hughes, whose resume includes both a distinguished military career and, since retiring from the Army, work on the Iraq Study Group's Military and Security expert working group.
"Finally, we have with us Dr. Stephen Biddle, a senior fellow for defense policy and the top analyst on Iraq at the Council on Foreign Relations.
"Welcome to all of you.
"On an administrative note, we will use our customary five-minute rule today for questioning, proceeding by seniority and arrival time.
"Now, let me turn it over to Mr. Akin for any statement he would like to make."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
