I question the notion of the rebalancing of our forces from the Middle East to Asia Pacific.

I believe it is important to note that DOD never actually sized the ground forces for large-scale stability operations.

There's unfortunately a natural coming together. It seems almost inevitable that if somebody wants to do us damage in the United States...

Let me ask you one follow-on question about the really tragic events in Afghanistan in the last week or so.

I think we also have to acknowledge that the Budget Control Act has already put, if not devastating, very damaging, in my opinion, restraints on our military spending.

Thank you very much. Good luck.

I believe that DOD and more broadly U.S. leadership should be mindful of multiple considerations when developing standards for detainee treatment.

history will show that it is not really worth even the paper the signature is on.

My understanding from initial conversations... is that the Afghan Government is favorably disposed to a bilateral security agreement.

the President has made clear that prevention is our policy and that containment is not an option.

Nobody wanted our discussions with the Iraqi Government for a presence in Iraq after our troops left to fail more than Iran did.

We as a Nation, we as a military, we conform to the basic premises that are inside the Law of the Sea today.

We cannot turn our back on either.

Do you agree, when asked, to give your personal views, even if those views differ from the administration in power?

Did budgetary concerns play a role in the analysis that produced the 2010 QDR?

I think first and foremost a bilateral security agreement will be a clear message of commitment for our long-term strategic partnership.

Dr. Hicks, in general, do you believe DOD strategic reviews should be shaped by resource considerations?

This is another classic case of how you sometimes run the risk of taking your best friends for granted.

The influence of Iran and Islamist organizations in Latin America has long been a concern, but it has taken on increased urgency.

I think the President has acted wisely in nominating both of you and I look forward to supporting your nominations.

I do not like because it suggests we have not been in the Asia-Pacific and we are going to turn our back presumably on the Middle East where we have been.

Given the significantly compressed timeline to produce the DSG as compared to the 2010 QDR, would you say that the analysis behind the DSG, and by extension the fiscal year 2013 budget request, was more rigorous or less rigorous than the…

the killings by the Assad Government of its own people continues, I do not know whether a document was signed by Syria to agree to the Annan plan.

Without Congress' ability to provide suggestions through the traditional appropriations process, I fear that the Army Corps will continue to focus on dredging our large ports, and our small ports and harbors will be neglected.

We remain concerned about the possibility of Iran using proxy groups or individuals in the region to conduct targeted attacks in the United States.