What does Sen. Begich think about Pakistan? Find out here.

There's something wrong with the sound this week, but other than that Channel 11 reporter Matt Felling treats us to his usual blend of Afghanistan, oil and politics as he interviews U.S. Sen. Mark Begich.

Here's a few highlights.

Felling: Senator Begich, you're voting on Elena Kagan next week. So it sounds like you're in a comfort zone with the nominee, and you're just looking to make sure there are no red herrings out there?

Begich: That's a fair statement .. You want to be careful as you read the documents to make sure that both sides are viewed and at the end of the day, you feel comfortable with my final call.

Felling: Senator Begich, the Wikileaks info shows a lot of anecdotes of Pakistan playing both sides -- our forces and the Taliban, potentially even withholding information about bin Laden's location. Shouldn't we be getting more from Pakistan, since we're sending them money and they're playing politics against us and India?

Begich: Simple answer? Yes.... Pakistan has to recognize it has a role to play in the region, and it does not mean coddling the opposition.

Felling: We seem to fighting Afghanistan to a draw with the troops we have there now. How is this brief surge supposed to give Americans any optimism?

Begich: Anytime you're in a war, it's hard to be optimistic ... We're in this position, it's not a perfect situation.

Contact Joshua Saul at jsaul(at)alaskadispatch.com.