As a matter of fact, the operational tempo is probably unheard of maybe since World War II. Is that correct?

One way to defeat radical Islam is to provide an education to young women and young men to give them the tools to fight back.

This is an unacceptable outcome for our military, for our Intelligence Community, and for our own safety.

Isn't that kind of stupid?

Do you agree that it is now time for the Pakistani Government to step up and make a decision as to who they are and what they want to be?

Do you agree with me that training of the Afghan army will be a need that goes past 2014?

But politicians are accountable to the voters. The generals are accountable to their troops, to their chain of command, and to Congress.

We are not doing any of the above.

It is in our national security interest to have a political relationship with the Afghan Government and people; do you agree with that?

I think it is a way to save money and actually get weapons done quicker.

If the Iraqi Government requested additional troops to remain in 2012 in Iraq, do you think it would be wise for us to agree to that request?

It does. It matters a lot, because that's the place where the attacks of September 11 were planned; is that correct?

Do you agree with me it would be in our national security interest to leave behind a military footprint that would have American air power available to the Afghan security forces and counterterrorism units to suppress the Taliban as far as…

They are willing to buy new F-16s. Is that right?

This is not a time to seek a peace dividend because we are nowhere near peace.

I would just urge you on behalf of the special operations community to push the administration and Congress to take a burden off their backs.

Killing bin Laden was a seminal moment in the war on terror.

I am all in for winning in Afghanistan and doing what we need to do in Iraq.

If you bring them back to the United States, Mr. Chairman, for civilian prosecutions, I believe that is criminalizing the war.

If we withdraw the 33,000 by September of next year, will this still be a counterinsurgency operation?

Mr. Panetta, if confirmed, would you be willing to further investigate this issue in order to determine what roadblocks have halted the procurement of such a promising drug, and how best to remove such hindrances?

My concern, Mr. Chairman, is that that is criminalizing the war.

When we respond, we want to respond with overwhelming force. We are not looking for a fair fight here, right?

Would it be in our national security interest to open up transportation routes in the north to get supplies and equipment into Afghanistan without having to send everything through Pakistan?

I have been open about the idea of having bases, joint bases, post 2014 with American aircraft, Special Operations Forces units.