John McCain

The President has announced it, beginning in July of some forces.

I think it's modest. I think their greatest threat is their helicopter-type forces.

I believe that's correct, Senator.

This kind of thing erodes, enormously erodes, the credibility of the Navy's plans and programs, at least for this member.

I remain concerned--by the way, in case--I know that our witnesses didn't miss it, but the Chinese announced a 12 percent or 12.5 percent increase in their defense budget.

I certainly applaud your focus on trying to be more energy independent within the jurisdiction that you control.

But you have very little doubt that control of the air above, particularly in an untrained enemy, gives you an enormous advantage in any conflict? True?

Admiral Olson, does SOCOM have any shortfalls in the availability of training resources, particularly ranges and facilities that are affecting the ability of your forces to prepare and train for specific deployments and missions?

To what degree is SOCOM looking to leverage commercially available and proven technology in the development of solutions to satisfy SOF-peculiar requirements?

In these tough fiscal times, we do have an obligation to our citizens to make sure that--we always have that responsibility, but now in these tough times, that responsibility has even been increased.

The establishment of cooperative security locations would not be consistent with the current U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement or current U.S. policy for departure of U.S. forces.

Is there value to you and the United States to establish forward operating sites and cooperative security locations in Iraq for future operations?

Congress will have to balance the two public goods--military readiness and environmental protection.

Do you believe SOCOM is properly structured to successfully undertake the development and fielding of major weapons systems?

The U.S. relationship with Bahrain remains strong and we do not currently see the need for an alternative port to Manama, Bahrain.

The establishment of cooperative security locations is not consistent with the current U.S.-Iraq security agreement, which calls for the full withdrawal of U.S. forces by end 2011.

So it is of concern that they would be arresting demonstrators in a country we expect them to allow demonstrations?

An inclusive government is the only option that works with the various confessional groups that try to share power there.

So you're not concerned about a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as far as logistics, intelligence, and training of an air force, or a navy? None of that is of concern?

This has really been a--I hate to keep throwing around the word 'disgraceful,' but the cost overruns and delays have been unfortunately characteristic of a lot of our acquisition problems and challenges over the past several years.

We face hard choices about the future of U.S. defense assistance to Lebanon after Hezbollah's use of coercion to become the dominant actor in the government.

Not since the fall of the Soviet Union have we seen a wave of change destabilize more critical countries all at once than we are now witnessing.

Hezbollah is now the dominant actor in the government of Lebanon.

Well, if you are going to begin to withdraw, we will begin to withdraw as well.

The populist-inspired changes are a direct repudiation of the violent extremists because these young folks today have achieved more change in 10 weeks than 10 years of al Qaeda's murderous campaign.