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Admiral James Lyons, Retired U.S. Navy admiral, on President Obama’s trip to Asia, and the administration’s handling of the attacks in Benghazi.
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We are delighted to be joined now by India.
I have -- James Lyons retired commander of the US Pacific fleet admiral it's always good to have you with this thanks for being here.
Oh but it's nice to be back with you loop emerald -- -- your first.
The talking points which is it seems that no one after.
General Petraeus made it clear that there had been changes in those talking points this.
The testimony before congress has been surveyed congressman Mike Rogers.
The -- -- house intelligence when he said.
If it's gotta be the White House because everybody else -- testified that they didn't.
Do you agree.
I agree.
And then that deputies committee I'm sure the White House represented the national security from the national security.
Agency council.
Had his marching orders.
His marching orders and Petraeus for his part says that.
Part of the confusion here and that is primarily I believe.
It is safe to say that confusion between the testimony he gave the congress three days after September 11 and what he said.
Over the past their dates or congress.
Do represents what happens when you try to avoid tipping off terrorists do you buy that.
Well.
According to congressmen.
Came.
It is certainly indicates that -- trailers slide during his first testimony.
And not a ploy but rather straightforwardly misrepresented.
The truth to congress say it is it possible for a military man head of the intelligence.
Agency.
To decide take it upon himself for her -- The good of the country and misrepresent reality to the United States congress.
I don't know what type of pressures were -- on them but certainly based on what.
Congressman king has reported.
And the open press it certainly appears that way.
But let's turn to the president.
Riveting as the White House's putting -- to the Pacific.
Which means he is obviously -- now in southeast Asia.
You see -- more political motivation here than if you will geopolitical foreign policy issue.
Well this is the old -- and -- you -- -- -- have a scandal breaking in brewing in Washington.
Get out of -- And what do you think of the president deciding to use of the language of the the former military government of Burma and refer to Burma as Myanmar.
What what do you make of that if anything.
Well and I really don't know what the make of it but does certainly while he's out there on this strip.
I certainly hope he would take the opportunity.
To.
Condemned China for its bullying and aggressive tactics.
In -- Ireland imperialism.
In the south and East China Sea.
And while these very should make it very clear to China.
That should -- tactics involved in hostilities between our allies Japan.
And the Philippines are mutual defense treaty will be brought into play.
Anything less demand.
Will not deter China from its -- tactics a shot needs to be fired across our vial.
And -- Who give us your best judgment.
Will such -- such a warning be issued will structure of language we use by this president.
But he seems to be involved with the smaller countries if you will southeast Asia.
Well it's part of the overall security program -- at these and interested.
In maintaining stability.
We can't continue to to.
To stay with the position that we have which is we don't get involved in bilateral disputes.
All that does is give China a free hand.
To continue with their bullying and aggressive tactics we know what China's objective bidders.
The economics of it is only one part of that.
-- ultimate goal is to drive us out of the -- Pacific.
They wanna be the dominant player in the first island chain and out of the second island chain which includes -- You have to take this song.
It is essential.
For our security and the stability of all our paralyzed.
Out in the western Pacific.
And -- in your best testament.
How long before China can match.
Our our fleet superiority our navy.
Dominance.
In the region.
Well they have a very aggressive military program underway now they were.
They have.
They've just been doing the first seed trials will the aircraft carrier that they converted.
That they bought from the Ukraine's.
They've developed this sophisticated.
And new -- ballistic submarine force as well as macular attack submarines.
They building a varying aggressive amphibious capability.
-- all of this goes well beyond what's required for the defense of the homeland when there's no known threat.
And admiral quickly turning to Israel and the the engagement with -- -- Which.
Which looks like right now despite the involvement of the United Nations Secretary General and others in trying to mediate.
It looks like this could well turn into a a ground operation.
Which the Israelis have threatened.
Within a matter of days what are what are your what your -- -- Well I think that certainly is a possibility but look we've got to step back from this who supplies Hamas.
-- so wrong.
And that -- got to look at Iran's role in this current.
Conflict.
Certainly Egypt.
Is has a hand from Moore C and his.
Disastrous economic policy.
But what it's done for Iran and it certainly has taken the Iran new killer issue off the table you can even find it in the paper today.
And let's face -- Iran has been at war with the United States -- with 33 years they conducted another.
Act a -- just a week or so ago when they fired on our unmanned drone.
Eight as usual.
We.
Did not come -- to meet the challenge.
Admiral you very much and as you point out the the national media not taking note of Iran and in this context of the area.
-- conflict between Israel and Hamas not taking note of of the president's agenda and the absence of China on is -- on his specific -- that.
Admiral we always appreciate talking to you thanks so much for your time.
Nice to meet you several James --
