Dick Lugar

I think President Karzai would understand that he's got a new chance now, if he's got 50 percent plus one vote, to become a statesman or to end up on the ash heap of Afghan history.

The justification for the so-called just war was to overthrow the Taliban, which was in effect made up of Pashtuns who were harboring al-Qaeda

One of the biggest obstacles hampering development throughout the world is violence against women.

The threats to U.S. national security in the region are both real and profound, but they are also largely indirect.

The U.S. Congress has taken an important step forward this week, as Senator Kerry has pointed out, by passing the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act.

American foreign policy is never stronger than when it is bipartisan.

The real debate should be what is the political strategy because counterinsurgency cannot succeed at any time, unless it has a legitimate political foundation on which it proceeds.

Thank you all for discussing it this morning.

I believe it is possible to develop a strong consensus on the way forward.

It is clear that one of the most important goals of an enlarged American commitment to Afghanistan would be the preservation and potential enhancement of stability in Pakistan.

Many Afghans, particularly the Pashtuns, will look at the government as completely corrupt.

The Obama administration's policy review includes reference to the growing North Korea-Burma relationship.

Thank you, Chairman Webb, for holding this hearing to review U.S. policy toward Burma.

This begs then my second question and that is, perhaps you do not have control of this now or oversight.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

The United States has a responsibility to our friends and allies throughout Asia to oppose actively the possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to or from Burma.

The major reason why we ought to have stability in Afghanistan is to help perpetuate stability in Pakistan

So, that's the basis for our security, then, to give a framework for Afghan people to progress.

Senator Lugar raised the possibility that as many as one-third of President Karzai's votes might be invalid.

The President identified the war in Afghanistan as his administration's highest combat priority.

Only he can lay the foundation that will gain the confidence of Congress and our soldiers, development experts, diplomats, and partners.

There is now an emerging recognition that there is no purely military resolution to the situation in Afghanistan, and that governance and development are as, if not more, important tools.

I think there are other questions in Pakistan--again, about our staying power--that still cause some hedging of bets there.

Preventing the return of the Taliban to control of Afghanistan, maintaining stability in Pakistan, and keeping up the pressure against al-Qaeda are all objectives very worthy of American effort.