I think that the lessons learned from the last years may be very difficult ones for any of us to learn and apply, but we have to be committed to doing so.

If confirmed, I'm very committed to properly planning to the best of my ability, every possible operation that we might be involved in.

I wish you well, because certainly that's turned out to be a difficult situation for many.

I believe that withdrawal will be extraordinarily dangerous for our troops.

I think that has been an unfortunate hallmark of this administration's policy toward Iraq from the very beginning.

I think you could make a very strong case that the Iraqis are not ready to put violence aside as a tool for the various agendas they're pursuing--sectarian, political, personal, and commercial.

It is certainly my opinion that the Vice President's office has played a major role, continues to play a major role, and runs a parallel operation.

I wish you well in a position that many of us believe is an impossible one.

I just urge, General, that you pay immediate attention to this.

I think it's important that whatever your advice is, it be given directly to the President on a regular basis.

I do not foresee a long-term role for our combat brigades in the midst of this sectarian civil war.

Are you aware of the problems that are apparently cited in this report, as set forth in press accounts of it?

Can you similarly assure us that every soldier being deployed as part of this escalation will receive all the necessary training for this dangerous assignment?

Admiral Fallon, the Washington Post published an article on January 30, 2007 about Iran's ascendance titled 'With Iran Ascendant, U.S. is Seen at Fault: Arab Allies in Region Feeling Pressure.'

many of us believe that beginning a phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq will force the Iraqis to make the tough political compromises to make progress.

I authored an amendment that was included in the final act, that would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the readiness of our ground forces within the Army and Marine Corps no later than…

Admiral Fallon, how will you tailor the best practices of counterinsurgency to quell the continued sectarian blood letting?

Are you at this point able to assert with a 100-percent level of confidence to this committee that every soldier being deployed to Iraq as part of this escalation will have all the necessary personal equipment?