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Statement of Subcommittee Chairman Vic Snyder
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
Hearing on "A Third Way: Alternative Futures for Iraq"
July 31, 2007

"The hearing will come to order.

"Good afternoon, and welcome to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations' fourth hearing on alternative strategies for Iraq.

"My colleague, Mr. Akin, and I entered into this series of hearings because we were frustrated by the tone of the discussion about Iraq this year, and the polarization that has occurred. The political debate on the U.S. strategy for Iraq has too often been framed by two extreme positions: "precipitous withdrawal" or "stay the course" indefinitely. These hearings are an effort to bring in smart, experienced people who can 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.

"Over the last three weeks, we heard from retired senior military officers, defense policy experts, and academics who specialize in Middle Eastern affairs. Last week, we had a highly productive session with the Honorable Bing West, Major General Paul Eaton, Colonel Paul Hughes of the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Dr. Stephen Biddle of the Council on Foreign Relations. The full committee has also held hearings on trends and recent security developments in Iraq and the implications of the recent National Intelligence Estimate with respect to Al-Qaeda, and has passed legislation requiring the administration to report on a comprehensive strategy for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq.

"These sessions make clear that we are focused on the future, and not merely intent on rehashing how we got to where we are. Our 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. Some of the specific things we are looking for are:

• The financial and personnel requirements to implement a given alternative;
• The impact on the people of Iraq;
• The impact on regional stability;
• The impact on U.S. national security generally; and
• The impact on the U.S. military.

"Each witness today was selected because of his unique background and perspective. Our witnesses' written statements will be made part of the record and will help us better understand their views. 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 has been here for our previous hearings, which are all available in audio format on the Armed Services website, will tell you that is exactly the kind of productive exchange we are looking for.

"For today's hearing, we have another distinguished panel, including

• Retired General Jack Keane, who has been actively involved in advising the White House and the civilian and military leadership at the Pentagon and in the field and who appeared before the full committee just last Friday;
• Retired General Barry McCaffrey, who has been traveling to and reporting on Iraq in his capacity as an adjunct professor at West Point for several years now;
• Retired Lieutenant General Greg Newbold, former Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whose reservations about the war are well known;
• Dr. Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institute, who just returned from eight days in Iraq and has proposed a "soft partition" of Iraq as a possible course of action; and
• Mr. Daniel Benjamin of the Brookings Institute, whose scholarship in the field of counterterrorism can give us important insights in considering the future of Iraq.

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. It is particularly important that we stick to our time limits today because General Keane needs to leave by 2:15, due to prior commitments.

"Now, let me turn it over to Mr. Akin for any statement he would like to make."