Roundtable on Global Hotspots

" Hello again from Fox News in Washington with Afghanistan and Iran dominating foreign policy concerns. We turn to for key senators for their insights on how best the US should move forward. From south Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham from Scranton Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey. And here in studio or Evan Bayh a Democrat from Indiana and Saxby Chambliss a Republican from Georgia. Senators welcome to you Walt let's get right to Iran where we have seen some significant developments overnight senators. The front page of the New York Times this morning has this story. Report says Iran has data to make a nuclear bomb is about a confidential analysis by the international atomic energy agency. The IAEA the times writes quote most dramatically the report says the agency assesses that Iran has sufficient information. To be able to design and produce a workable implosion nuclear device. Based on highly enriched uranium. These excerpts also suggest that Iran has done much research and testing to perfect nuclear arms like making high voltage detonators. Firing test explosives and designing warheads. We should point out the times following up on some of the reported by the associated press and other sites. On this secret IAEA report so -- your thought on this report and how. Or should it factory into the negotiations with the wrong -- program first."

" Oh absolutely I think one of the things that we want to do is challenged the Iranians. To give us an access -- what's alleged in this report clearly they're not developing a nuclear program for peaceful purposes. This report is just. Yet more evidence of a long line of evidence that the Iranians are trying to develop a nuclear weapon and half measures won't work. We need do you get -- challenging the Iranians with some deadlines and ultimatums quite frankly senator gazing."

" Senator case it. Now -- it will turn good senator but first. Your thought on this report and --"

" It shows that we need to bring a real sense of urgency to this issue the clock is running. And the running well having regular capability before long if something doesn't happen to change their minds. So we need to -- have tough sanctions financial and economic we need to do them now. Have real deadlines and consequences if they don't live up to their word because they've lied repeatedly in the past but. -- we are on a path toward a nuclear Iran which is an unacceptable course if we're gonna avoid that very painful dilemma. A -- having to live with that or taking military action to prevent that which may ultimately be a choice we face. We need to act now on the financial and economic side senator Chambliss is the administration taking the right point of view here."

" Well I think so obviously there have been some significant -- level discussions both with our allies is as well as beginning coach with a -- right now so. I think the administration realize the seriousness of this and when you come ban. -- the revelation relative to the knowledge that Iran has concern in the manufacture of weapons. With the fact that we now have publicly. Disclose the older. Facility in Iran and at home where for the last several months we've been monitoring the operations and that is they facility. Where the Romanians are going to be manufacturing. Enriched uranium. Four nuclear power purposes it's not big enough they don't have enough centrifuges for the which pretty clear. That Iran is headed down -- of getting a nuclear weapon they have acknowledged that now have a secret facility that's been disclosed. What else -- I think that's the question administration managed."

" Senator -- the head of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei arrived in Tehran on Saturday to arrange this inspection of the facility that senator Chambliss mention. In home near the holy city of -- he announced at a news conference this morning that Iran has agreed to let inspectors in -- on October 25. That is three weeks not two weeks from now as the present forecast. Also said that Iraq has agreed to quote in principle allow some of its low enriched uranium to be transported out of the country to Russia or France. To be -- higher levels for nuclear fuel so the president has called these talks are constructive beginning. How do you see these talks."

" Well that what we heard this week was certainly encouraging but I think we have to be very. Focused. Giving the president giving other parts of our government including pension funds. The ability to impose sanctions we should not have to. Allow the talks to be independent in in themselves. That's why and others have supported legislation that I know my colleagues support. To provide a broad range of sanctions and in particular. Senator Brownback and I have legislation to allow pension funds. To divest. Urges Washington to allow that pension funding and these around the country to divest. Pension fund assets out of companies that are doing business there Iran. Energy sector up to a twenty million dollar levels so I think it's critically important we have. All of the tools on the table to impose sanctions even unilaterally. If necessary should the Senate move forward now. I think we should reach at least give the president. All of the all of the tools he needs to impose sanctions if he needs to act and certainly pension funds and any other. Entity that wants to help us on this should be given that authority which they don't have now. Under federal law also look I'm glad that we're we're talking but we cannot allow. Talking in negotiations to replace strong action if we feel we have to take that step in addition to the international efforts that we've undertaken -- within the Security Council are other -- would we should have as many options on the table. As as."

" Possible the president specifically touted this move to move low enriched uranium out of Iran when he talked about these talks. In his comments but here's -- the Associated Press wrote about this on Friday quote. President Barack Obama noted the deal in the comments on the meeting. But Mehdi -- Iran's ambassador to Britain and a member of the running delegation at the talks told the Associated Press the issue had not been discussed yet. Asked if Iran had accepted he replied no no. Senator -- do you believe the Iranians are negotiating in good faith over their nuclear program."

" Absolutely not round and they have a pattern of deception and a pattern of breaking agreements that they agree to this may be further example of that. They respect strength and strength alone there contemptuous of weakness so. Having this dialogue is good but you've got a hold them to their word what matters ultimately is not what they say but what they do. So will they allow the inspections to go for well they actually -- the uranium out of the country what about other hidden facilities they -- have that's why we -- up. All of these sanctions to raise the cost of misbehavior so -- hopeful that they'll change their mind take them at their word. Absolutely not I'm afraid they're running o'clock on this is what the really don't know how long does the administration hat. Well I think we need to give them a matter of weeks. To have to come clean on the inspections to actually send uranium out of the country I think you know we -- have firm deadlines the sooner the better and real consequences. If those deadlines are -- senator Graham."

" I couldn't agree more on my democratic colleagues I think they've got exactly right what I would like to have -- session. And in the Senate may be a couple three days or randomly quote we pass Evan -- is. Sanctioned proposal written regarding refined petroleum the president would have tools. To sanction companies to provide -- patrolling to Iran I've got a bill senator Schumer are restricting. Sanction companies to provide cyber assistance to the Iranian government to oppress their own people. Our radio Farsi radio the Voice of America needs to be enhanced I would like to -- that congress in a defined period of time the next couple weeks. Pass the series of measures that would empower the president and our country. To be tough pain and to put some actions behind words so let's have -- weaken in the Senate and gets them done I totally agree with."

" In the latest Fox News opinion dynamics poll 77%. Of those surveyed are worried about Iran developing nuclear weapons and almost 70% in that poll. Said President Obama is not tough enough. On Iran senator Chambliss. Do you think he's been tough and."

" What I was hoping that approached Obama would do here in these recent talks with. Our allies was to go hit and promote the putting its sanctions now against Iran Evansville -- a great bill it's the right direction which we need ago and rather than saying. If you don't stop what you're doing we're gonna impose sanctions we've been allowed to enough by Iran and I would hope what the president would do would take -- boulders. Go ahead and let's impose sanctions let's get our allies together and say this is what we're gonna do. If you want us to ease those sanctions golf that you need to come clean on weapons program and tell us what's going home. I think discontent in the dialogue with them and threatened with sanctions. The -- gonna take that attitude I don't think we're gonna get him."

" Where it would consider case do you agree with your colleagues that the Senate should move forward that congress should move forward even ahead of the administration's. Ability to impose sanctions on a world stage."

" Oh absolutely I believe that one when we have these -- measures in front of the Senate senator right bill. That the bill that senator Brownback and I haven't pension funds as well as what senator Graham mention. Every possible. Option should be on the table here and that I think that gives the administration the ability to. To have a broad range of choices here naturally want to make sure we want to make sure that. At the appropriate time -- sanctions have to be imposed that they can be imposed swiftly with consequences. And not have some indefinite time -- will allow them. To continue to live in the international community is they've they've done. Time and again."

" Senator Graham last thing on Iran what is your thought about the Israelis and their possible timetable of acting unilaterally make them unilaterally possibly before even the end of the year. If it continues this way with the wrong."

" I think an Israeli attack on our plan is a nightmare for the world -- also will. Rally the Arab world around Iran and they're not aligned now. It's too much pressure to put on Israel must go down the sanctioned road is not colleagues have indicated. Military action should be the last resort anyone. Looks that and how would rather."

" That our allies and state military action at this necessary let me say this."

" Only this necessary that if sanctions fail and Iran's going down the road to get a nuclear weapon every Sunni Arab state that -- would want a nuclear weapon. Israel will be more imperiled. The world what changed dramatically for the worse and if we use military action against Iran we should not only go after their nuclear facilities. We should destroy their ability to make conditional war they should have no planes can fly. And no ships that can float. If you go down that road not come out conventionally as well as their nuclear programs but that would be a last resort. I don't want Israel to have to have that burden that's not the best way to do it but if the Israelis say what's the timetable what's the timeline. How long well -- Act first save what actions have of what effect they'll have on Iran the Iranian people very much are against this regime."

" Less empire of the Iranian people and isolate the regime."

" Less than what my colleagues have said on this show. Have a series of votes in the United States senate and house in the next two weeks to give our president tools. To impose meaningful sanctions on Iran if they change your behavior we can back off."

" But do all of this in the next few weeks."

" Did that before even consider military action but take military action before they get a weapon so I don't know how much time we have left."

" But I know doll this falcons not working they did the same bill with the Europeans in 2007. They said. You can have our low enriched uranium the Russians can have it they backed out -- I don't believe a thing Iran says I want them to act -- believe."

" The problem when military action also is that you're probably not going to be able to stop the production of uranium. Just a simple air strike Lindsay tried it's an all or nothing deal and is it worth that at this point in time. When we know they have the capability we can slow them down. But. -- full out military strike is what senator Casey your thoughts on the timetable how long does Iran that."

" Well has to be. A reasonable length of time. To allow some of these discussions that have already taken place two. To develop and there's no reason why you can't have. On one track a parallel track of of talks but also a parallel track for sanctions are moving. Forward I think senator -- made -- an important point that that I should have made earlier and that's that there is a huge difference here between the regime and the people we saw. Stirring in the hearts of the Iranian people this summer. That country has changed forever now we may not see people on the streets demonstrating today and I know that television cameras are documenting that necessarily. But it behind closed doors on the ground in their homes and their communities they're a lot of arabians who want change a lot of Iranians who. Who frankly identify with the United States and we have to continually be aware. Not just how we talked about the regime being different from the people but also making sure that sanctions that we impose don't have the people we're trying to. Freed themselves. From a regime or at least have some degree of change and in a policy in that country so it's an important point to keep the two separate."

" let's turn now to Afghanistan this morning we have sad news that eight American soldiers were killed in eastern Afghanistan. After what is being described as a complex -- bomb attack on two American outpost general Stanley McChrystal the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Calls the situation in the country serious he says in his military judgment it is deteriorating now privately. Senior citizens civilian and military officials say that McChrystal wants up to 40000. More US troops in the country. Senators should the president fulfill that request under --"

" unfortunately there are no easy answers and Afghanistan. The ideal situation would be a stronger central government with more troops and police capable of controlling its own territory. If we have a realistic chance of achieving that and more troops are necessary to achieve that I would support that decision. But there's a real question given the lack of history and a country of a strong central government. It's riddled by corruption incompetence today about whether that ultimate goal is achievable or not and that ultimately is what we have to answer not -- there were devoted to solving this problem but whether the Afghans can do their part. So I would support the request if that's what the president decides but I think there's also a decent case to be made that perhaps the Afghans just can't do their part. In which case -- different strategy would be in order so underground."

" While the one thing I can tape for sure without reinforcing our troops you're gonna hear more of what happened today. General McChrystal say without reinforcements we cannot change the momentum that the Taliban. Has achieved in the insurgency cannot be defeated in a year if something doesn't change we had this very dilemma in Iraq. We didn't have enough troops ever by felt mallet he was a sectarian prime minister that the country was a governing itself. The security environment. McCain terrible the one thing I can say if we don't add more troops you're gonna see more of what happened yesterday. The security situation is gonna get worse in any hope of better governance is lost in the Taliban will reemerge. If you send troops sand will have a second chance they governance. You need to put. Karzai's speech to the fire the next government speak to the fire to do a better job but it's impossible to bring about better governance without security. And what we have in place now is not going to war general McChrystal tells us that. He needs reinforcements I hope the president will send him and let us all work together for better governance because the Taliban are gonna win. If we don't change course and."

" Syndication Wednesday the president met in the national -- national security team in the situation room with all the major players about this decision. -- of the Washington Post wrote about that meeting. Vice president Biden offered some of the more pointed challenges to McChrystal who attended the session by video link from Kabul Biden. Has argued against increasing the number of US combat troops in Afghanistan. He favors preserving the current force levels stepping up predator drone strikes on al-Qaeda leaders and increasing training for Afghan forces. -- Thursday at London's institute for strategic studies. General McChrystal was asked directly whether he thought limiting how limited counterterrorism effort in Afghanistan. Would work here's what he said."

" Short good answers no you have to navigate toward you are not what you wish more. Age strategy that does not. Leave Afghanistan. In stable position is probably shortsighted strategy. Senator Casey what do you make of this very public rift between vice president Biden and general Crist."

" Well first of I think it's vastly over dramatize. If -- if -- read the stories about general McChrystal presentation he talked about debate and deliberation. And despite what we're hearing in Washington. To move. In the next couple of days in the next two weeks I think the president is on the right thing. He's doing what general McChrystal recommended in terms of taking time to review this and he's doing with the American people expect them to do with president. They'll be debates within the administration will be debates in congress that's a good thing. It should be should -- should be indefinite terms of a time frame but the best thing we should do. We cannot make the same mistakes that our government made in Iraq. And one of the mistakes we can't make his putting that the resource and troop question before the strategy question. We have to continue to debate. It would not just pointing a finger at the administration the congress has a role to play here in the Senate we've got a debate. What the strategy strategy should be and get that right before we talk about what the resource should be an -- if it's as simple as saying. Whatever general McChrystal wanted -- and in any format. I think we're gonna miss the -- this is much more complicated than just reacting to a part of his recommendation a lot of what general McChrystal has recommended. Involves a nonmilitary aspects of this and he understands. How difficult it is to get a counterinsurgency. Strategy right and a lot of that is nonmilitary. I think we should thoroughly review his report. And question him but also. We need to question. The strategy overall and make sure we get it right it's like she. Senator Casey let me ask congress reaches a point -- that that we recommend a a more focused. Counterinsurgency strategy or some Allstate just counterterrorism. But I think we need a full debate not just a political debate as we often happen with regard to the war in Iraq."

" Our syndicated -- you think it's possible after the description of that meeting in this this rift if you will. That the President Obama could possibly disregard the advice the request of the general that he installed in Afghanistan. General McChrystal."

" I don't think he's gonna disregard any any part of that report I think he's using that report is that the foundation of of the discussion about strategy that doesn't mean. There's not going to be debate within the administration debate is good. But I don't buy the idea that there's some kind of rift between. General McChrystal and parts of the administration there will be debates but it's important that the congress. Is as focused on strategy before resources as the administration's."

" Just two quick things are -- it's not uncommon that there is diversity of opinion on issues as complex as what to do about Afghanistan and there may be no good answer their unfortunate that that may be the truth this point. But it's also not uncommon for commander rich people have some differences of opinion with -- some of -- generals Abraham Lincoln did was some of his generals during the civil war most notably George B McClellan Harry Truman had a big difference of opinion with Douglas McArthur. Even George Bush had a difference of opinion with the general Casey about whether they have the surge in Iraq so this is to be expected and your lead and posed the question do we need more troops or do we need a different strategy that that it's possible the answer may be yes and yes. More troops in the short term to trying to build up their capacity to stabilize the country as best we can although there will always did. Imperfect place and then pay that two more of a counter terrorism strategy a couple of years down the road want to accomplish that that may be that the bottom lines --"

" Well -- when you have a military commander on the ground. News is not only an expert and in the situation relative to Afghanistan but it is a strong military leader handpicked by the president to lead the effort in Afghanistan. I think you've got to go with him you've got to go with the details. Study. That he has made and you have to remember that. What general McChrystal is recommending Israeli twofold certainly more troops going to be necessary to secure the peace in Afghanistan. And stop the violence but as Bob -- just ahead we've also got to have a civilian component to this issue. If we're gonna resolve this complex situation that have been noted earlier that exists in Afghanistan. But if we're gonna have those civilians to be able to come in and try to educate and train the afghanis them we've got to have the security in this -- allowed to do that. So I think it's it's imperative that we listen to the commander on the ground."

" Senator -- the administration continues to say that they have time that we shouldn't rush this decision. How much time do they have and how do you think it'll come out."

" Well I don't know has got to come out back and say this without any equivocation that counterterrorism. Strategy if adopted would be the biggest strategic blunder. Post now eleventh it would result in the Taliban taking over all or part of Afghanistan. It would result and the whole region wondering who America is Pakistan which is doing a good job against their insurgency would be undercut."

" You cannot fight these people from a distance."

" In March the president said we have to defeat the Taliban and we have to make sure out data has no say -- So I hope that this deliberation what John understand this is a tough decision doesn't go now gone so long that it becomes indecision. General McChrystal says within a year if we don't change the momentum on the ground we could -- lose our ability to defeat the insurgency. -- counterinsurgency. Strategy properly resource is our best way to go forward half measures will not only."

" lead to a defeat in Afghanistan it will affect our ability to change Iran Iran is watching us. If we're indecisive. About what to do in Afghanistan. As an American -- coalition group. Then there are gonna take what we do and Iran less seriously so the president has a window of time here."

" To seriously -- deliberate but is running out in which you saw yesterday is exactly what a waste this country."

" Our troops cannot change momentum they're sitting ducks they need to be reinforced."

" And I can't guarantee we'll have a little more troops but if we don't reinforce them packing guarantee what will happen will lose and that."

" In Afghanistan that's what's at stake."

" This is what your colleague Senator John McCain said about how the administration is handling general McChrystal --"

" So. It's okay with the administration. -- general McChrystal to go on sixty minutes. It's okay for him this give a speech at the institute for strategic studies in London. But the administration does not want general McChrystal in General Petraeus before the Senate Armed Services Committee how does that work."

" Senator Casey how does that work do you share us senator McCain's concerns it's not his passion about general McChrystal briefing congress. When I mentioned before -- mean in need have a debating congress Johns while the voices we should we should listen to and and take. Take the measure would Lindsey Graham and John McCain and Joe Lieberman wrote a piece in The Wall Street Journal -- that's. Part of what we should debate what what was the the focus of their their. Column in The Wall Street Journal. As well as other points of view on the question of who should appear before the armed services committee I'm on the foreign relations committee. Or any committee. In time I think we have lots of opportunities. To question general McChrystal to question. Maybe may be other administration officials."

" Well we've all long list sure about the senators saying that he's out -- six. And he still and the -- behind closed doors the senders and an announcement. Well let."

" Let's be fair when President Bush made a determination about a surge in in Iraq. He made a decision then we got to see general McChrystal months later I think the same should happen here. We should the president should have access to all the information he needs as well as have the congress have a debate but this debate is not gonna and the minute that. The minute the the president allows. People within the administration to come to -- what we've already had. Months and months of hearings we got to continue that one thing we should do though it is this quickly. Is that we should have a debate in congress to vote what is the fastest and most effective way to get the Afghan army and the Afghan National Police up to a level. Where they can provide security and take on the the enemy. I think that that debate alone is critical to getting this right we can have long debates about. How how many troops should be there but butt off a lot of the parts of this debate haven't taken place silicon."

" couple quick topics before we wrap up here on the economy the unemployment rate now stands at nine point 8% the highest in 26 years. More than fifteen million Americans are out of work former fed chair Alan Greenspan is saying that he believes -- push past 10% and stayed there for awhile. Obama administration officials said when they -- pitch in the stimulus package I didn't think he was going to get past 8%. Senator bond at the time of the stimulus package. Passage you said of the 787 billion dollar price tag quote. We all respect the president's number it has to be big enough to really provide a jolt to the economy. And create jobs. Do you think the stimulus has provided the -- of the economy and create jobs."

" I think things would have been worse without the stimulus bill for -- that's true but having said that of course it's not satisfying to see that things continue to. He's a lot worse than any of us would like. -- you have to remember but I think a good percentage of the jobs bill hasn't even gone into effect yet so. Look at by the draft in the package I would have tried to have it go into effect sooner and have morbid directly related to jobs. But it is what it is at this point it continues to go -- to the economic bloodstream and to keep things. Which as unsatisfying as they are for being a whole lot worse so the answer that's along interstate yes but I wish it could've done more."

" Senator Graham quickly this week you talked about based politics you mentioned Glenn back of course is on Fox News Channel. And you said he does not appear to you ought to be aligned with any party but he's aligned with cynicism there's always a market for cynicism. Are you saying that Glenn Beck is bad for America."

" Now I'm not saying he's bad for America you got that freedom to watch him if you choose. He did a pretty good job on acorn what I am saying he doesn't represent the Republican Party. You can listen to him if you like got she's got it took us quite frankly I don't. I don't wanna go down the road -- thanking our best days are behind us we need to act decisively. People are genuinely upset with how much money we're spending up here. But at the end of the day when when a person says he represents conservatism. And that the country's better off of Barack Obama than John McCain. That's sort -- ends the debate for me is how much more I'm gonna listen so he has a right to say what he wants to say and I view this not. It's not the kind of political analysis that I buy into it. Senators thank you all for being with us this morning sharing your views on obviously a wide range of topics thanks --"