Doing otherwise would create a vacuum filled instantly by terrorist threats, not just to the United States, but to the free world.

I hope Ambassador Wells, the acting head of both offices, will share her thoughts whether this will increase operational efficiencies.

We have seen some promising signs that this administration will no longer put up with Pakistan's friendliness toward terror groups.

In announcing our new national strategy for the conflict, the President laid out an important truth that should have guided our policies all along, that despite the enormous cost, we can't leave without resolution.

Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to make up one of the United States' most complex foreign policy and security challenge.

We cannot secure Afghanistan's future and an effective relationship with Pakistan that roots out terrorism and empowers civil society without these efforts.

Sixteen years. For 16 years, Americans soldiers have been sacrificing their lives in Afghanistan to secure the future of that country and to protect our citizens at home.

It is about our national security, which is tangentially related to the popularity, but not directly.

Congress appropriated more than $33 billion in assistance from 2002 to 2016.

I am glad to hear you say it is not a blank check.

What are we doing to change our tactics to get a better response for the money that the American taxpayers are spending?