Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, confirmation hearings have begun for President Obama’s pick to head the occupation of Afghanistan. On Tuesday, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee. McChrystal addressed allegations of prisoner abuse committed by the Joint Special Operations Command while it was under his leadership.

Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal: “I do not and never have condoned mistreatment of detainees and never will. When we found cases where we thought there was an allegation of mistreatment, we investigated every one, and we punished, if in fact it was substantiated, and that was from the beginning.”

Tuesday’s hearing marked the first time Lieutenant General McChrystal has spoken publicly about prisoner abuse committed under his command.