Take action: no more troops in Afghanistan

Flickr photo via openDemocracy

President Obama is “skeptical” about the need for more troops in Afghanistan.  General McChrystal says we must send more of our young men and women to Afghanistan or risk “mission failure.”

We are at a critical decision point for the future of Afghanistan policy, and we must push the debate toward a new, smarter approach. Click here to tell your representative and senators to oppose sending more troops to Afghanistan.

General McChrystal’s leaked confidential assessment calls for sending thousands more troops so the US can shift to protecting the population and convince the Afghans that foreign forces are “guests of the Afghan people and their government, not an occupying army.” After eight years of destruction, this is beyond unrealistic. In the midst of the deadliest year of the war for Americans and Afghans, we cannot let a small group of military personnel and think tankers—with a history of throwing troops at a problem—waste tax dollars and lives on a failing strategy.

President Obama has said he is not yet convinced that we need more troops in Afghanistan, and the Republicans are already circling for the attack. Republican leaders like John McCain are calling for a swift decision, saying a delay would “endanger the lives” of soldiers in Afghanistan.  You can already hear them now: they’ll say Obama is “soft on terror” and isn’t “supporting the troops” if he takes the smart approach and denies a request for more troops.

Other members of Congress are starting to express reservations about sending more troops, and it’s because of you. Constituent pressure and polls showing plummeting support for the war in Afghanistan have caused top congressional leaders from Armed Services Committee Chair Sen. Levin to House Speaker Pelosi to speak out. This is our moment, because for the first time the nation is truly questioning the war in Afghanistan. Now we must intensify our efforts. Let Congress know you expect them to oppose sending any more troops to Afghanistan.

When I first wrote about advocating for a nonmilitary approach in Afghanistan, we were one of the lonely voices questioning “the good war.” Now we are seeing the fruits of our efforts as the media, politicians and the public are asking the tough questions. Thank you for continuing to take action to turn this debate around.