"If we decide that we are unwilling to make that commitment, that we are unwilling to make that investment in the long-term post-conflict stability of the country, we will, I think, with high probability, get an opportunity to run the social science experiment and see what happens if Afghanistan coll..."
"The question before us is whether Afghanistan is important enough to justify the lives and massive resources that are being spent there."
"Can we achieve the most important national security goals in Afghanistan... at far less expense?"
"the primary importance of promoting stability in Afghanistan is to prevent nuclear proliferation out of Pakistan"
"The broad scope of our activities suggests that we are trying to remake the economic, political, and security culture of Afghanistan."
"The circumstances surrounding this week's dramatic killing of Osama bin Laden...have raised questions about Pakistan's reliability as an ally."
"Even before the discovery of bin Laden's compound, our relationship with Pakistan had suffered strains."
"development aid provided by the United States is essential and that the realization of stability in Pakistan is a major objective of this aid."
"All military and development assistance should be subject to careful review to make sure that it is serving our national security interests."
"Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for calling this important hearing on Pakistan."
"What is helpful is identifying the most appropriate projects and then following through, not changing midcourse."