Richard Holbrooke: “Why are we in Afghanistan? The short, simple answer is: 9/11, direct threats to our national security interests.”

What happened in 1989, when the Soviets left and the world, led by the United States, just turned its back on Afghanistan... is a lesson of history we cannot afford to repeat.

We assess that it is on track to improve security, transparency, and accountability for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

We are spending the money you've authorized for us to create a justice system which can cut into the Taliban's propaganda about corruption and lack of a justice system.

I share your astonishment that so little was done on this in the past, and I want to commend you and Senator Webb for continuing to push.