Question: Who is the director and screenwriter of the new movie "Spy?"

BUDAPEST —  Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

Answer: which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” <hl> As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously. <hl>

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in <hl> which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously. <hl>


Question: Which actress plays an analyst on her first undercover operation?

Answer: Melissa McCarthy

<hl> BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. <hl> With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

BUDAPEST — <hl> Melissa McCarthy <hl> was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.


Question: Who is wearing a curly wig?

Answer: Melissa McCarthy

<hl> BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. <hl> With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

BUDAPEST — <hl> Melissa McCarthy <hl> was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.


Question: Who is wearing a bespoke three-piece suit?

Answer: Paul Feig

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. <hl> With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig , looked on. <hl> Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, <hl> Paul Feig <hl>, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, <hl> Paul Feig <hl> , looked on.


Question: Which actor co-stars with Melissa McCarthy in the new movie "Spy?"

Answer: Jude Law

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. <hl> With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite Jude Law for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. <hl> Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.

BUDAPEST — Melissa McCarthy was standing in an ersatz C.I.A. office here, on a soundstage a few miles outside the city. With a curly wig and a fake case of pink eye, she was shooting a scene opposite <hl> Jude Law <hl> for their new movie, “Spy,” as the director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, looked on. Mr. Feig, lanky and preternaturally dapper in his customary bespoke three-piece suit, pocket square and flower lapel pin, traversed the set with an ornate walking stick. Mr. Law, playing a James Bond-esque agent, was similarly kitted out in sleek designer garb. The costume for Ms. McCarthy, as an analyst in the field for her first undercover operation, included a lot of beige; a brown crocheted vest, a ruffled denim skirt, athletic sandals. The wig, she said, is “not human hair,” maybe “recycled water bottles.” As a few producers watched and Mr. Feig adjusted the blocking, the actors filmed a scene in which Mr. Law’s character jokes about running away together and Ms. McCarthy, as his besotted colleague, takes him seriously.


Question: Which SNL veteran wrote jokes on sticky notes to be passed along to Mr. Feig?

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

Answer: Kent Sublette

<hl> In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette , a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. <hl> In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, <hl> Kent Sublette <hl>, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, <hl> Kent Sublette <hl> , a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast.


Question: Which screenwriter for "The Heat" wrote jokes to be passed along to Mr. Feig?

Answer: Katie Dippold

<hl> In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold , the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. <hl> In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and <hl> Katie Dippold <hl>, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and <hl> Katie Dippold <hl> , the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast.


Question: Who thinks that test screening is the best way to refine jokes?

Answer: Mr. Apatow

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. <hl> “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. <hl> “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” <hl> Mr. Apatow <hl> said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”


Question: Who is a former stand-up comic?

Answer: Feig

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. <hl> Feig , who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. <hl> In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. <hl> Feig <hl>, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “Bridesmaids,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

<hl> Feig <hl> , who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast.


Question: Which movie did not score well with audiences in test screenings?

Answer: Bridesmaids

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. <hl> “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “ Bridesmaids ,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. <hl> In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

In Budapest last June, Kent Sublette, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Katie Dippold, the screenwriter for “The Heat” and now co-writer of the new “Ghostbusters,” watched the action and scribbled jokes on sticky notes, which were handed to Mr. Feig, who also shouted extra one-liners to his cast. In the editing room, these “alts,” as they’re known, are assembled into multiple cuts, which Mr. Feig test-screens religiously. In Hollywood, test screening is done grudgingly, considered a pernicious studio tool and the enemy of the auteur. “It doesn’t work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions,” Mr. Apatow said. “If you’re making a David Lynch movie, it doesn’t work at all.” But for comedy, he continued, it’s often the best way to refine jokes. Their semi-scientific process involves recording viewers’ laughter across different versions. Mr. Feig, a former stand-up comic, compared it with road-testing an act. “Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “<hl> Bridesmaids <hl>,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate. In a South by Southwest preview, one critic called it “a home run.”

“Spy” has had about 10 test screenings, he said, although unlike “ <hl> Bridesmaids <hl> ,” it scored well with audiences out of the gate.


Question: What date does "Spy" open?

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

Answer: June 5

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. <hl> “Spy,” which is to open on June 5 , is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. <hl> At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on <hl> June 5 <hl>, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

“Spy,” which is to open on <hl> June 5 <hl> , is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year.


Question: How much money did it cost to make the movie "Spy?"

Answer: $65 million

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. <hl> “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. <hl> At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost <hl> $65 million <hl> to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.


Question: "Spy is the biggest-budget gamble of whom's career?

Answer: Feig

Feig cheered.

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. <hl> Feig cheered. <hl> It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. <hl> Feig <hl> cheered. It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.


Question: What genre of movie is "Spy?"

Answer: high-stakes espionage thriller

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. <hl> “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a high-stakes espionage thriller — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. <hl> At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.

“That was so beautifully cringe-y,” Ms. McCarthy said afterward. Mr. Feig cheered. It was a wrap. “Spy,” which is to open on June 5, is the biggest-budget gamble of Mr. Feig’s career, a <hl> high-stakes espionage thriller <hl> — a comic espionage thriller — that cost $65 million to make and had the cast and crew on location here for months last year. At a moment when there’s extra scrutiny of women’s roles in studio films, behind and in front of the camera, “Spy” is a rejoinder to all the testosterone-fueled fantasies that dominate the summer box office. That action stars need not be superheroes is also a testament to Ms. McCarthy’s clout; it’s her highest-budget movie, too.


Question: How many manufacturing  jobs has Connecticut lost over the last 20 years?

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

Answer: 96,000 manufacturing jobs

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” <hl> Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs , she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. <hl> Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than <hl> 96,000 manufacturing jobs <hl>, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than <hl> 96,000 manufacturing jobs <hl> , she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers.


Question: Who claims to be fighting for middle-class families?

Answer: agreements that failed to protect American workers

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” <hl> Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers . <hl> Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of <hl> agreements that failed to protect American workers <hl>. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of <hl> agreements that failed to protect American workers <hl> .


Question: Why did Connecticut lose manufacturing jobs?

Answer: Trans-Pacific Partnership

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. <hl> Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership .” <hl> He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the <hl> Trans-Pacific Partnership <hl>.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the <hl> Trans-Pacific Partnership <hl> .”


Question: What do trade deals make it easier for corporations to do?

Answer: send American jobs overseas

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. <hl> “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas .” <hl> Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to <hl> send American jobs overseas <hl>.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to <hl> send American jobs overseas <hl> .”


Question: What issue does Sanders claim the President was wrong about?

Answer: Trans-Pacific Partnership

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. <hl> Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership .” <hl> He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.” Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers. Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the <hl> Trans-Pacific Partnership <hl>.” He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the <hl> Trans-Pacific Partnership <hl> .”


Question: What was a problem with worker and environmental protections in NAFTA?

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

Answer: They were never effectively enforced

They were never effectively enforced .

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. <hl> They were never effectively enforced . <hl> Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. <hl> They were never effectively enforced <hl>. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

<hl> They were never effectively enforced <hl> .


Question: What were worker and environmental protections in NAFTA replaced with?

Answer: a side letter

<hl> One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter . <hl> They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into <hl> a side letter <hl>. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into <hl> a side letter <hl> .


Question: What are Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiators attempting to pry open?

Answer: Japanese auto and agricultural markets

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. <hl> They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. <hl> It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the <hl> Japanese auto and agricultural markets <hl> to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.


Question: What protections are negotiators are trying to include?

Answer: protections for a free and open Internet

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. <hl> They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet . <hl> It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include <hl> protections for a free and open Internet <hl>. It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include <hl> protections for a free and open Internet <hl> .


Question: What could be the overall effect of the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Answer: more potential to do good than harm

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. <hl> It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm . <hl>

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced. Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round. They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet. It has, in other words, a lot <hl> more potential to do good than harm <hl>.

It has, in other words, a lot <hl> more potential to do good than harm <hl> .


Question: Who is trying to help research and connect happiness with freedom?

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Answer: Charles G. Koch

<hl> Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. <hl> Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, <hl> Charles G. Koch <hl> now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.


Question: What are you likely to see when you watch T.V. commercials?

Answer: employees of Koch Industries

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. <hl> Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries . <hl> Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many <hl> employees of Koch Industries <hl>. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many <hl> employees of Koch Industries <hl> .


Question: Who's the Democrat that lead's the party in the Senate?

Answer: Harry Reid

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. <hl> Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid , the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P. <hl>

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with <hl> Harry Reid <hl>, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Instead of trading insults with <hl> Harry Reid <hl> , the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.


Question: Where did the Koch brothers get praise from OBama?

Answer: meeting of the N.A.A.C.P

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. <hl> Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P . <hl>

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a <hl> meeting of the N.A.A.C.P <hl>.

Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a <hl> meeting of the N.A.A.C.P <hl> .


Question: Who do the Koch Brothers trade compliments with sometimes?

Answer: President Obama

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. <hl> Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with President Obama , who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P. <hl>

Once known for grim letters to fellow wealthy Americans warning of socialist apocalypse, Charles G. Koch now promotes research on the link between freedom and everyday happiness. Turn on “The Big Bang Theory” or “Morning Joe,” and you are likely to see soft-focus television spots introducing some of the many employees of Koch Industries. Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with <hl> President Obama <hl>, who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.

Instead of trading insults with Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader, Mr. Koch and his brother, David H. Koch, are trading compliments with <hl> President Obama <hl> , who this month praised the Kochs’ support for criminal justice reform at a meeting of the N.A.A.C.P.


Question: Where does David Koch live?

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

Answer: New York

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. <hl> In December, David Koch, who lives in New York , sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. <hl> In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in <hl> New York <hl>, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

In December, David Koch, who lives in <hl> New York <hl> , sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues.


Question: What kind of viewpoint regarding gays and other social issues?

Answer: liberal beliefs

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. <hl> In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. <hl> In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his <hl> liberal beliefs <hl> on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”


Question: What non-profit oversees Koch Brothers political donors?

Answer: Freedom Partners

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. <hl> In recent months, Freedom Partners , the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. <hl> Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, <hl> Freedom Partners <hl>, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

In recent months, <hl> Freedom Partners <hl> , the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers.


Question: Who is the founder of Morning Star, a tomato processing plant?

Answer: Chris Rufer

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. <hl> He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer , a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. <hl> “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said <hl> Chris Rufer <hl>, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said <hl> Chris Rufer <hl> , a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor.


Question: Do non-profits have to disclose their donors?

Answer: nonprofits do not

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. <hl> Because nonprofits do not disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. <hl> But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”

The public-relations push extends to the very private brothers themselves. In December, David Koch, who lives in New York, sat for an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC and described his liberal beliefs on gay rights and social issues. In April, Charles Koch, who for many years granted only the occasional interview to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, answered questions from USA Today. In recent months, Freedom Partners, the nonprofit that oversees the Kochs’ political donor network, has also persuaded some of its donors to put their names to op-ed articles in national and local newspapers, helping shift attention away from the two brothers. Because <hl> nonprofits do not <hl> disclose their donors, it is impossible to know how much of the Koch network’s spending is underwitten by the Kochs themselves. But several hundred like-minded donors are members of Freedom Partners and more than two dozen donors have signed the op-ed articles, which take up familiar Koch causes like abolishing the Export-Import Bank or cutting the size of the federal government. “Charles Koch’s amazing. He gets death threats all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Chris Rufer, a self-described libertarian and the founder of Morning Star, the world’s largest tomato processor. “They called and said, ‘Would you sign on to this?’ ”


Question: Which area did the Taliban overtake three weeks ago?

KABUL, Afghanistan —  With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

Answer: city of Kunduz

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. <hl> The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. <hl> But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern <hl> city of Kunduz <hl> to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.


Question: When were American troops supposed to leave Afghanistan?

Answer: year’s end

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. <hl> On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end , leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year. <hl>

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at <hl> year’s end <hl>, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at <hl> year’s end <hl> , leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.


Question: For how much longer will nearly ten thousand American troops remain in Afghanistan?

Answer: at least another year

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. <hl> On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year . <hl>

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for <hl> at least another year <hl>.

On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for <hl> at least another year <hl> .


Question: What was the United States' goal for Afghanistan?

Answer: the creation of nationalized police and army forces

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. <hl> But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. <hl> On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — <hl> the creation of nationalized police and army forces <hl> numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.


Question: Why is the Afghan Police Program being expanded?

Answer: attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. <hl> The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents . <hl> But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

KABUL, Afghanistan — With the Afghan security forces gravely challenged by Taliban offensives, the government is moving to rapidly expand the troubled Afghan Local Police program by thousands of members, Afghan and Western officials say. The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an <hl> attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents <hl>. But the expansion also amounts to an open admission that the United States’ main legacy in Afghanistan — the creation of nationalized police and army forces numbering more than 350,000 members — is failing under pressure even before any final American military withdrawal. On Thursday, President Obama called off that pullout, originally due at year’s end, leaving 9,800 American troops in the country for at least another year.

The move to expand the police militias, prompted by the disastrous loss of the northern city of Kunduz to the Taliban almost three weeks ago, is being described by officials speaking privately as an <hl> attempt to head off panic in Afghan cities threatened by the insurgents <hl> .


Question: What does the government feel is the only other alternative, and worse conclusion, to their current plan of action?

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

Answer: ceding territory to the Taliban

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. <hl> Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. <hl> Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between <hl> ceding territory to the Taliban <hl> and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.


Question: At what level is the government hoping to expand defenses?

Answer: district level

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. <hl> The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level , potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. <hl> While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the <hl> district level <hl>, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the <hl> district level <hl> , potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes.


Question: By increasing district level defenses, who might benefit?

Answer: overstretched army and the national police

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. <hl> The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. <hl> While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly <hl> overstretched army and the national police <hl> to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.