Iraq and Afghanistan
Iraq
Six years after the Iraq war began, thousands of men and women in our military continue to serve in Iraq. While I voted against the Iraq war resolution in October, 2002, I have consistently worked to give the men and women in our military serving in Iraq they tools and support they need to do their jobs. As member of Congress and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, one of my most important responsibilities is to serve as an advocate for our service members and military families. Over the past years, I have worked to support them, and I have worked to change our policies in Iraq and move toward strategic redeployment.
I support President Obama's plan, laid out in February 2009, to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by next summer while maintaining a limited military presence to train and advise Iraqi security forces, conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions and protect American personnel and facilities. The President’s plan will reduce the strain on our military, strengthen our ability to confront future threats to our security and allow us to refocus on Afghanistan where the September 11 attacks originated.
Afghanistan
In the seven years since the United States led a coalition to overthrow the Taliban for its role in the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has crippled al-Qaida in Afghanistan and worked hard to build a secure and democratic Afghan country. However, a resurgent Taliban and a recent increase in violence threaten the progress we have made. Success in Afghanistan will require a substantial and sustained commitment from the United States military, civilian agencies, and our allies around the world.
Our immediate goal must be to deny safe havens to terrorists who would do us harm. But our commitment must be more than military, and will require a surge of civilian experts in agriculture and education, engineering and law to help rebuild Afghanistan.
I support President Obama's plan to hold our policies accountable for training Afghan Security Forces, routing out insurgents, strengthening Afghanistan’s economy and government and dismantling the production of narcotics.
Finally, we must bring a coordinated approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Pakistan, U.S. military assistance is necessary but not sufficient. We need the Pakistan Army to intensify their focus on counterinsurgency operations to eliminate Al Qaida safe havens, particularly in the ungoverned areas in northwest Pakistan.
Read a column I wrote for the Seattle Times on my trip to Afghanistan in December, 2008: http://www.house.gov/list/press/wa02_larsen/OpEd_Afghanistan_121108.shtml
Recent News - Iraq
Recent News - Afghanistan
| Date | Headline |
|---|---|
| 03/27/2009 | Larsen Statement on President Obama's Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan |
| 12/11/2008 | Sustained, substantial U.S. commitment for Afghanistan |
| See all news » | |
