Okay. We have a witness following you, a state secretary from Germany, so we'd like to save some time for that. We'll get started.
Mr. Minister, welcome. We are undertaking a study right now of our troops in Afghanistan. Your recent trip there, I'm sure, will add much to what you have to tell us.
There will be a round of questions. We'll get as many in as we can. Hopefully you can help us in our deliberations here.
Please go ahead.