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And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN Audio, the Ax Files with

your host, David Axelrod.

Admiral Mike Moen, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when I served in the White

House under President Obama, dropped by the Institute of Politics at the University of

Chicago yesterday.

We talked about Trump's decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, state of our alliances

today, his historic testimony in support of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy,

and his unlikely upbringing as the son of a Hollywood publicist.

Admiral Moen, it's great to see you again here at the Institute of Politics, the University

of Chicago.

You know, usually you have an incredible life as people will hear in a minute because no

one would have predicted, given where you started, where you ended up in life, a whole different

world.

But we'll get to that.

But so much is going on right now that is so much, not just in your area of expertise,

but in the area about which you care so passionately that I would be remiss if I didn't start

there because I know people are going to want to hear what you have to say.

The first is about policy, and the second is just about institutional coherence.

On the question of policy, what has your reaction been the last few weeks watching this situation

in Northern Syria, and full from the time the President had his call with Erdogan in

of Turkey, and withdrew the American troops from Northern Syria, where we are today?

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