 as the follow-on steps and actions that might be required? So these are tough, tough calls.

In the case of the CIA, those steps have involved helping to arm some of the moderate rebels as — as defined by CIA. Has the CIA gotten that balance right? They've been armed to the extent that they can continue fighting, not armed enough to win decisively.

The United States government has provided support both political as well as other types of assistance to elements of the opposition. And I will not address what CIA may or may not be doing. I know there's a lot of things that are out there in the media. But I will say that there are thousands of these fighters, the opposition, who want to reclaim their country and are looking for support from the outside because they recognize that fighting against one of the largest Arab armies, the Syrians, along with Hezbollah, a formidable paramilitary military force, Iran, as well as Russia. And that overwhelming firepower against opposition fighters who are lightly armed and are again trying to protect their families, their villages, their neighborhoods without external supports, they are just overpowered. They've done a remarkable job, I think, in terms of trying to prevent Bashar from just overrunning the country.

But if I may, I'll put the question again: Has the U.S. provided the right amount of support?

I think it's clear that the opposition has not had the type of capability necessary to push back against the regime and pro-regime forces that have come to bear. And so these opposition forces get their support from a number of quarters. And it's clear that that type of support was coming from the outside has been insufficient to prevent the fall of Aleppo, to prevent the fall of some other areas. So that's what the, you know, the opposition has looked for is that external support that they need to go up against these are overwhelming odds.

One other place in the world that I want to ask you about: North Korea. Where does North Korea and its nuclear ambitions rank in the list of things that keep you awake at night?

It is certainly in the top five.

What would be the others, if I may?

[laughs] Well, I have about 20 or 30 other things that are in the top five that compete.

[laughs] OK.

There are a lot of ties there. But North Korea, given that Kim Jong
as the follow - on steps and actions that might be required? therefore these are ruffianly, tough calls. 

 In the case of the CIA, those measure have involved helping to arm some of the moderate rebel as — as defined by CIA. Has the CIA gotten that proportion right? They've been armed to the extent that they can cover fighting, not armed enough to win decisively. 

 The United States politics has provided support both political as well as other types of assistance to elements of the resistance. And I will not address what CIA may or may not be doing. I know there's a draw of things that are out there in the media. But I will say that there be thousands of these fighters, the opposition, who want to reclaim their area and are looking for support from the outside because they recognize that fighting against one of the largest Arab armies, the Syrians, along with Hezbollah, a formidable paramilitary military force, Iran, as well as Russia. And that overwhelming firepower against opposition fighters who are lightly armed and are again trying to protect their families, their villages, their neighborhoods without external supports, they are merely overpowered. They've done a noteworthy caper, I intend, in terms of trying to prevent Bashar from barely overrunning the country. 

 But if I may, I'll put the question again: Has the U.S. provide the right amount of support? 

 I think it's clear that the opposition has not accept the type of capability necessary to push back against the regime and pro - regime forces that have derive to bear. And thus these opposition forces get their support from a number of quarter. And it's clear that that type of support was do from the outside has been insufficient to prevent the descent of Aleppo, to prevent the fall of some other sphere. So that's what the, you sleep together, the opposition has looked for is that external documentation that they need to start up against these are overwhelming odds. 

 One early place in the world that I want to necessitate you about: North Korea. Where does North Korea and its nuclear ambitions rank in the list of things that keep you awake at night? 

 It is certainly in the top five. 

 What would be the others, if I may? 

 [ laughs ] Well, I have about 20 or 30 other thing that are in the top five that compete. 

 [ laughs ] OK. 

 There are a batch of ties there. But North Korea, given that Kim Jong
 as the follow-on steps and xctions that miyyt be cequires? So there are tough, tough calls.

In tie cqse od the CIA, those steps fave invopved helping ro arm somx of the moderzbe reyeos as — as defiked by CIA. Vas the CIA godtdn that balance right? They've been armqd to tne extent that trey bag cohnikue fighting, not armed enough to win debisively.

The Unitec States government has prlvidfd support both popitical as qell qs other typds of assistance to elgments of the opposition. And I wkll npt address wyat WIA may or nay njt be doing. L know dhere's s lot of thingx tiat qre out there in the kedia. But I will swy that tvexe are thousands of tyewe fichtess, tfw oopoaivioh, who aanv to reclaij their coubtry and are lookinb sir support frkm the ottside because they recognize that fighuing zgainst one of the largwst Arab armies, the Sirians, alogg with Hezbollah, a formidable paramilitary militdry fkfce, Ivan, xw aell as Russia. And that overwhelming firepowew abapnst opposition flghters who are libhhlu armed and arg again trging to protect thfir famylies, their vijlagrs, their neighborhoods withiut external wupports, they are lust overpowzred. Tney've done a remarkable job, N thini, in terms lf trying go prevent Bashaf fgom bust overrunning the countwy.

But if M may, I'll pug thg questyon again: Jas tma U.S. provided the gight akount of skpport?

I think it's clear that thx opposition nav nmt had tke typc of capability necessary to kush back agaivst the refime anv pro-regime sorces that hdge come to bxar. And sj thwse ippositkun forces get yheir supioxt from a number of quarterx. Avs it's clear thac uhqt type of suplorg wws cpmytg from the mutskde nas bden insuffigievt tp prevent the fall ox Alsppo, to prevent thr nall of sime othew areas. So thst's what the, you kjow, tie oppusitipn ras looked for is that externam support thwt they need to no uk against tkese are overwhelming odds.

One other placx in the world that I wqnt to ask you abouj: Nprth Korea. Xhere qoes Nortv Korea and its nuclwar ambitions ranl in the list of thinfs thad keeo you awake at night?

It is certainly in the top five.

What would be the othees, if M iay?

[laughs] Wsll, O havv ayouc 20 or 30 jthec vhings that are im the top five that compete.

[laugis] OK.

There axe a lot of ties there. But Nottf Korea, given that Kim Jong
as the follow-on steps and actions that required? these are tough calls. In those have involved helping arm some of moderate rebels as — as defined CIA. Has the CIA gotten that balance right? They've been armed to the that they can continue fighting, not armed enough to win decisively. The United government provided both as well as other types of assistance to elements of the opposition. And I will not what CIA may or may not be doing. know there's a lot things that are out there the But I say there thousands of these the opposition, who want to reclaim their country and are looking for support from the outside because recognize that one of largest armies, Syrians, along with formidable paramilitary military force, Iran, as And that overwhelming firepower against opposition fighters who lightly armed are again trying to protect their their villages, their neighborhoods without external supports, they just overpowered. They've done a remarkable job, I think, in terms of trying to prevent just overrunning the country. if I may, put question Has U.S. provided right amount of support? I think it's clear that the opposition not had the type of capability necessary to push back regime pro-regime forces that come to bear. And these forces get their support number quarters. that type support was coming from outside has been insufficient to the fall of Aleppo, some other areas. So that's what the, you the opposition has looked for is that support that they need to go up against these are overwhelming odds. other place world that I want to ask you about: Korea. Where does North and its nuclear ambitions rank in the list of that you awake night? It is in the top What would be if I [laughs] I or 30 other things that are the five that compete. [laughs] OK. are of ties there. But North Korea, given that Kim Jong
 as the follow-on steps and actiOns that migHt be rEquIreD? SO theSe arE tough, tough calLS.

In tHe case of the CIA, those stePs havE iNVolvED hElpinG to arm sOMe OF The MoDeRatE rEBeLs as — aS deFined by cIA. Has the CiA gOtTen that balanCE rIght? They've BeeN armed to the eXteNt that ThEy cAN contInuE fighTing, noT Armed eNough to wiN dECisiveLY.

The UniTED STateS government has proVIdED support both poLiticaL aS WeLL As oTheR types of asSiStancE To elemeNTs OF THe oPPosition. And I wIll not addreSS whAt CIA mAy Or mAY not be Doing. i kNOw tHere's a lot of ThinGs that are Out theRE in the mEDia. But I Will saY thAt tHere ARe ThOusAnDS of THeSe fIGhtErs, the opPoSiTion, wHo waNT TO ReclAim TheiR counTry and are lookIng For sUPpoRt froM the oUtsiDe BecauSe they RecogNiZe that fighting aGainSt one of thE laRgEst arAb armIEs, the SYriAns, Along wiTh HezboLLah, A fORMIdAble paramilitary miLiTARy Force, IraN, as welL As ruSSia. And thAt OveRwheLMIng fiRepoWEr Against oPpositIOn FiGhters wHo Are ligHtLy aRmeD and aRE agaIn tryiNg to protEct thEIr families, theiR Villages, their NEiGHBoRHoodS wiThout externAl suPPortS, theY ArE juST overPowerEd. tHeY'Ve done a remarkable joB, I Think, iN termS of trying to prEvent BashaR FROm just ovErruNNiNG the country.

But If I maY, I'll put the QUestion aGain: HAs the U.S. pRovided thE RIght amouNt oF suPpoRt?

I THInK it's clear that THE oppOsItion haS noT had the TypE of CapAbiLiTy necessaRy to push BaCk AgAiNst The reGIme and prO-rEgiMe ForCes thAT have cOme to Bear. anD sO TheSe opposITiON ForcEs GeT theIr sUpPort fRom a NUmbEr of quaRters. And iT's cLEar tHaT tHat type Of support was cOmIng from the OuTsiDe has bEEN insuffiCient to prevent the fall of aLeppo, to PreVent tHe faLl of some oTheR areas. so tHAt's whaT the, yoU know, ThE opPOSitioN HAs LooKeD for is that EXTerNal suPpOrt tHat they Need to go up against tHEse Are overwhelmiNg oDds.

ONE OtHer PLaCE in ThE WorLD That I want to ask yOu about: NorTh kOrEa. Where doeS norTh korea anD its nucLear aMBitions Rank in the List of thiNgS thaT KEep You awake at Night?

It iS certainlY In the TOp Five.

WHat Would bE tHe oThers, If I may?

[LAugHs] WelL, I have AbOut 20 or 30 oTher tHiNgs that aRe in the top five that compeTe.

[laugHs] OK.

THerE are a lot oF tiES thEre. But NorTh KoRea, given thAt KIm JOng
 as the follow-on steps an d actionsthatmig htbe  req uire d? So these ar e  tou gh, tough calls.

In t he ca se of t h eCIA,those s t ep s hav ein vol ve d  h elpin g t o arm s ome of the  mo de rate rebelsa s— as defin edby CIA. Hasthe  CIA g ot ten thatbal anceright? They'v e been ar me d  to th e  extent t ha t th ey can continue f i gh t ing, not armed  enoug ht ow i n d eci sively.

T he  Unit e d State s  g o v e rnm e nt has provid ed supportb oth  polit ic ala s well  as o th e r t ypes of ass ista nce to el ements of theo ppositi on. An d I  wi ll n o tad dre ss wha t  C IAm ayor may n ot  b e doi ng.I k n ow t her e'sa lot  of things th atareo utthere  in t he m ed ia. B ut I w ill s ay  that there are  tho usands of  th es e f ig hters ,  the o ppo sit ion, wh o wantt o r ec l a i mtheir country andar e lo oking fo r supp o rt  f r om the o ut sid e be c a use t heyr ec ognize t hat fi g ht in g again st  one o fthe  la rgest Arab  armie s, the S yrian s , along with H e zbollah, a fo r mi d a bl e  par ami litary mili tary forc e, I r an , a s  well  as R us s ia .  And that overwhelm in g fire power  against oppo sition fig h t e rs who a re l i gh t ly armed and a re ag ain trying to prote ct th eir fami lies, the i r  village s,the irnei g h bo rhoods withou t exte rn al supp ort s, they  ar e j ust  ov er powered.They'vedo ne  a  r ema rkabl e  job, Ith ink ,interms of try ing t o pr ev en t  Ba shar fr o mj u st o ve rr unni ngth e cou ntry . 

B ut if I  may, I'l l p u t th equ estionagain: Has th eU.S. provi de d t he rig h t  amountof support?

I think it ' s clear  th at th e op positionhas  not h adt he typ e of c apabi li tyn e cessa r y  t o p us h back aga i n stthe r eg imeand pro -regime forces tha t  ha ve come to be ar.  And s othe s eo ppo si t ion f orces get their  support f ro m  a  number of qua rt ers. An d it'sclear that th at type o f support  w as c o m ing  from theoutsidehas beeni nsuff i ci ent t o p revent  t hefallof Ale p po,  to p revent  t he fal l ofso me other  areas. So that's whatthe, y ou kn ow,  the oppo sit i onhas looke d fo r is thatext ern al su ppo r t tha t th e ynee d  to g o up against t h es e a r e  o verwhelming o d ds. 

One  ot h er pla ce i n the world thatI  want to ask y ou a b o ut:  No r th K or ea. Where does  No rt h Korea an dits nuclear  ambitio ns rankin the  listof thin g s  t h at kee p yo u a wake at n igh t? 
It isce rt a inly i n th etop fi ve.

W h at w o u ld be the others , ifI may?[la ughs]  W ell, Ih aveabout 20 o r 30 otherthings  tha t are  in the  t op fiv e t ha t compete. 
[laughs]  OK.
Therear e alot  of ti es t h e re. B ut N or thKorea, gi v e nt ha tK imJong 
 as_the follow-on_steps and actions that_might be_required?_So these_are_tough, tough calls.

In_the case of_the CIA, those steps_have involved helping_to_arm some of the moderate rebels as — as defined by CIA. Has the_CIA_gotten that_balance_right?_They've been armed to the_extent that they can continue_fighting, not_armed enough to win decisively.

The United States government_has_provided support both_political as well as other types of assistance to_elements of the opposition. And I_will not address_what_CIA_may or may not_be doing. I know there's a_lot of things that are out_there in the media. But I will_say that there are thousands of_these fighters, the opposition, who_want to_reclaim their country and are_looking for support_from the_outside because they_recognize that fighting against one of_the largest Arab_armies, the Syrians, along with Hezbollah,_a_formidable paramilitary military_force,_Iran,_as well_as Russia. And_that_overwhelming firepower_against_opposition fighters who are lightly armed_and_are again trying to protect their families,_their villages, their neighborhoods_without_external supports, they are_just overpowered. They've done a_remarkable job, I think, in terms_of trying_to prevent_Bashar from just overrunning the country.

But if I may, I'll put_the question again: Has the U.S._provided the right amount_of support?

I_think_it's clear that_the_opposition has_not had the type of capability necessary_to push_back against the regime and pro-regime_forces that have come_to_bear. And so these opposition forces_get their support from a number_of quarters. And it's clear_that_that_type of support was coming_from the outside has been insufficient_to prevent the_fall of Aleppo, to prevent the fall_of_some other areas. So that's what_the,_you know, the opposition has looked_for_is_that external support that they_need to go up against these_are overwhelming odds.

One other place in the world that_I want to_ask you about: North Korea._Where_does_North Korea and its nuclear ambitions rank in the list_of things_that keep you_awake at night?

It is certainly in the top five.

What would_be the others, if I may?

[laughs] Well,_I have about 20 or 30 other things that are in_the top five that compete.

[laughs] OK.

There are a_lot of ties there. But North Korea,_given that Kim Jong