Ultimately, President Assad is the head of state and he is responsible for the actions of those beneath him.

The regime's shocking brutality over the past 5 months and opposition figures' outreach to these communities is eroding that support.

Turkey remains central for the United States and European efforts, including the Nabucco pipeline project.

Let me say, you've noted that a key priority for the United States policy in the Czech Republic is to enhance regional energy security through means including diversification.

You are, of course, quite right that an earlier conversation that we had with the Czech Government about the shared early warning system... was overtaken by events.

Turkey is a pivotal country at a critical place geographically, in a very tense moment of conflict throughout the region.

There is strong national consensus in favor of expanding nuclear, and a strong government consensus.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairman.

I was very proud of my service in Iraq. Before Saddam Hussein went down, I worked with the Iraqi opposition.

I believe that each of you is well qualified to represent the United States at embassies in Africa and, in the case of Mr. Brzezinski, in Europe.

We support calls by the Syrian opposition to unite around the principle of a representative, inclusive, and pluralistic government.

I remain a proponent of a strong bilateral relationship with Turkey and its continued integration into Europe.

Our relationships with these countries are excellent, and we appreciate this opportunity to review events in each of the three as we welcome Ambassador Ricciardone, Ambassador Eisen, and Ambassador Ford to this committee once again.

Turkey's vote against a fourth round of sanctions on Iran in the U.N. Security Council raises concerns that the United States and Turkey do not share the same threat assessment with respect to Iran's nuclear weapons program.

Ambassador Sherman, we will be working with you to implement that policy, not just here in the United States as far as the legislation that was enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank bill.

Syrians have been denied the opportunity to participate in politics for 40 years.

The Syrian regime appears committed to the use of violence to suppress the will of its people.

Well, what do you think will be needed for the lifting of this specific ban on U.S. military education and training at this point?