Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today announced that the Committee will hold another series of hearings to debate the end-state in Afghanistan, assess the strategic relationship between the United States and Pakistan, and examine regional implications. Under Senator Kerry’s chairmanship, the Committee has already conducted 14 oversight hearings on the war, including the first Congressional hearings on reconciliation and the mission in Marja.
“The killing of Osama bin Laden closes an important chapter in our war against extremists who kill innocent people around the world. A single death does not end the threat from Al Qaeda and its affiliated groups and highlights the need to thoroughly evaluate our strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We need to make certain we are asking tough questions about the direction and effectiveness of our policy,” said Chairman Kerry.
In an op-ed in The Boston Globe on Sunday, Kerry explained that the purpose of this series is to thoroughly examine every question and ultimately articulate a policy of how the war should end in a way that makes America stronger. He reiterated the need for thorough debate and underscored the Committee’s role in providing recommendations to help shape U.S. strategy in the region.
This series will kick off tomorrow with two hearings this week. Additional hearings will be advised soon.
Afghanistan: What is an Acceptable End-State, and How Do We Get There?
WHO: The Honorable Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter, Bert G. Kerstetter '66 University Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University
The Honorable Ronald E. Neumann, President, American Academy of Diplomacy
WHEN: Tuesday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 419 Senate Dirksen Office Building
WATCH LIVE: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=8e8aa88e-5056-a032-5211-717689d40315
Assessing U.S. Policy and Its Limits in Pakistan
WHO: Dr. Samina Ahmed, South Asia Project Director, International Crisis Group
Mr. Moeed Yusuf, South Asia Adviser, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention, U.S. Institute of Peace
Mr. Michael Krepon, Co-Founder and Senior Associate South Asia, Henry L. Stimson Center
WHEN: Thursday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 419 Senate Dirksen Office Building
WATCH LIVE: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=8ec7ae3c-5056-a032-5292-4ec18865f8a0
NOTE: Broadcast media should contact the Radio-TV Gallery (4-6421) for a feed from pool camera. Print press should contact the Daily Press Gallery (4-0241) and periodical press should contact the Periodical Press Gallery (4-0265) to reserve a space.
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