Military Update

" Now the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff admiral Mike Mullen admiral welcome back to FOX News Sunday and happy fourth of July weekend -- Chris happy -- you thank you join the president in Moscow tomorrow for a summit with Russian leaders they have now agreed to open their airspace. Two flights of US troops and weapons over Russia into Afghanistan how much will that help with the war effort."

" Well any effort in terms of being able to support the kind of logistics. Effort that it is a significant it is is very helpful and as we were talking just before. We I came on I was just in Russia last week. Met with my counterpart. First time that I've been there to meet with him. To discuss. Two ring to move towards renewable term relationship. With Russians and -- and that will be an important part. Of this summit as well."

" Well that I want to pick up on the state of the US Russian relations here's what President Obama. Said this week about the message that he intends to bring to Moscow appeared. The old Cold War approaches to US. Russian relations is outdated and it's time to move forward in a different direction. From your meetings. Did the Russians agree that the Cold War as -- fur. Or as mr. Obama said about prime minister pollutants. -- they have one foot in the old way of doing business and one foot in the new."

" Well I've met with my counterpart twice once in Helsinki. Several months ago and then again last week in the indications I get from him are. He's anxious to move forward we have things in common but we need to work on Afghanistan. And neither country wants to see the Taliban return. To Afghanistan. The kind of efforts we share and in counter piracy counterterrorism. Focus on Iran and we obviously have areas of difference I would -- missile defense is certainly a big one. If you have a sense that the Cold War. Is over in their minds are not well I think I I think they wanna move forward I mean that's from Mike from my counterparts -- communication is. They do want to move forward. And they want to do it in a way where we looked basically deal with each other from positions of respect. Answering that's how I've approached my interaction with him you pointed out one of the areas. Where you're disagreeing."

" That's missile defense. And particularly the Russian objection to the setting up of the missile defense system in Eastern Europe. There's nothing in the Obama -- budget for that system. Is the president committed to installing it and Eastern Europe or could he conceivably make a deal with the Russian."

" Well he's directors to undertake a very extensive review of -- is ongoing it won't be done until this year. The the whole issue of missile defense. From my perspective is focused on defense of -- obviously the Russians see it differently so I think. We've here we're gonna have to work our way through that I've visited Poland as I left. Moscow the other day and certainly there are anxious to see us. Move forward and clearly we've we've had engagement with Czechoslovakia as well I think all of that is certainly -- part of what will be determined later this year."

" that. I'm just trying to get a sense as the president sits down with the Russian president and prime minister is missile defense and Eastern Europe negotiable."

" From my perspective that's something that president. That have been present Obama have to work their way through and and -- details of that. Will be looked will obviously be part of the discussions that they undertake later this week."

" Speaking of missile defense the north Koreans fired seven sevenths missiles he's on Saturday and four missiles on Thursday. What are they up to admiral and do we think that there's still going to launch a long range missile towards the one."

" Well they certainly still have that potential. These seven missiles. There were fired yesterday were relatively short range it's similar what they did in 2006. Basically trying to send a message. That said I think -- and it's a clear violation. The united nations Security Council resolution -- in essence that -- well I think that I mean the Internet I I believe that the international community. Has to continue to come together I think that the -- he has stayed strong. With respect to this Security Council resolution of -- what do you think is the message that the north Koreans well it's very difficult to figure out exactly what. The North Korean leadership is -- not predictable historically. He he clearly. Who wants to continue to be belligerent. And thumb his nose at the international community and and beyond that it's difficult to tell but it's very destabilizing. Potential."

" Admiral as I just -- eleven missiles fired in three days is this any time. For the president to be cutting missile defense as he does in his new budget."

" I'm comfortable we work our way through. The missile defense readiness that we need right now and I'm comfortable. With preparations that we've taken that we can defend our interests that are specifically again I think the long term. Future with respect -- missile defense will be determined in in how we move forward with this review. And and the various pieces the navy -- the land based peace. The air side of this that we put together and along."

" In Afghanistan. The US has launched a new offensive with 4000 Marines and Helmand Province. How certain argue that this new strategy which is certainly based. On the troop surge in Iraq. That's one go to work and that they will be able hold presidential elections in Afghanistan next month."

" Well I'm very comfortable that we have the troops shot of the troop numbers about right in this out that that offensive just started. The whole goal of this is to provide security. For the people of Afghanistan -- they really are the center of gravity and that leads to. An environment that supports elections later this August. That's big milestone in that country and we want them to be open and free and fair and be able to provide as much security as we possibly can. Between now and then."

" I -- you talked about troop levels of one of about not just in southern Afghanistan but throughout the country because. There's seem to be mixed messages this week about our troop level policy for Afghanistan National Security Adviser. James Jones was quoted this week as telling US commanders they are not -- looks back. Any more troops beyond what the president has already promised you were quoted the next day is saying. The top new commander general my crystal is gonna make a review any masters -- truth is we want our admiral which -- it."

" I've had I've had discussions with General Jones also with the president. And I think we're all committed to making sure we resource -- correctly. President Obama has committed the forces that we've asked this year general crystal who is the brand new leader there. Is in the middle of us an assessment you'll come back. In about 45 days with his assessment in terms of what he needs. My guidance to him have been tell us what you need and then come back and and will work that. And its guidance that both general Jones and the president understands. And support I think one of the points as we have to make sure that every single American that there is there is one that we absolutely need -- addition. The commander on the ground asked to assess the with a new strategy and he's in new leadership. Really zero base. Not just what's there but what he needs for the future we expect that. Sometime. Ended July -- alarms."

" What's the latest about them. Missing American soldier. Who's holding them and have they made any demands."

" I wouldn't get into any details about that but in terms of the kinds of things it. That could compromise the efforts clearly we've got a full court press on trying to find him. And we're doing everything we possibly can. And and it obviously it's a very difficult. Situation but we're very focused --"

" It in our last minutes I'd like to do to the degree that you're comfortable -- this lightning round of quick questions and quick answers. Vice president Biden has told -- leaders that if that country. Would turn this to sectarian violence that the US is likely to end its commitment. Really mean that."

" What what I've seen with our troops coming out of the cities. In the last week has been very positive. The politics are really critical in Iraq between now. And over the next certainly monsters they -- to elections and in January. So. I think the message there is clearly. That the political leadership. In Iraq has to do as much as they possibly can make sure security. Is sustain life but if they were -- devolved back into sectarian violence we are prepared to just. Well -- our hands and that's a decision obviously for for the administration certainly for the president. -- we're not there right now and I don't see the trends anything at this point. Leading in that direction."

" Given the political repression in Iran in the last few weeks with the election and then. The crack down the brutal crackdown in some cases on the protest do we wanna keep trying to engage the Iranian regime that's a decision for."

" The president. Two to make very clearly I'm. As as everyone was -- And isn't it troubled by the the level of violence and what happened but wouldn't comment extensively on the political. Events inside -- country like this but I remain concerned about Iran. On the military side they've still continue to develop nuclear weapons they still support terrorism and I think their country that we're gonna have to deal."

" report in The Washington Times this week said that you believe that a military strike against Iran. Would spur Iran's nuclear facilities would spur a bloody retaliation. Against US interest in the Middle East and around the world and that you have come to believe. We're gonna have to learn to live. With and an Iranian nuclear weapon is that true."

" Well actually honestly didn't even I didn't see that report I've. Been one who have been concerned about the strike. On Iran for some time -- because it could be very destabilizing and it is the unintended consequences of that which aren't predictable that said. I think it's very important as we deal with -- that we don't take any options including military options. Off the table and that's something that the president has certainly both aware of and he obviously has to make decisions about how he's gonna continue to approach would."

" Which would be more destabilizing the blow back from a military strike against the nuclear. A stop -- in Iran -- Iran having the nuclear weapons. "

" I think after I think both outcomes are really really bad outcomes and that speaks to the very narrow space that we have to try to resolve this. So that neither one of those things occur admiral Mullen we wanna thank you thanks for coming in today safe travels to Russia led to this later today thank --"