Two weeks ago, President Obama gave the most important speech of his presidency. He spoke with resolve to war-weary Americans, explaining why Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the “epicenters” of our efforts to combat terrorism and keep our nation safe. He also asked Congress for bipartisan support of a bold civilian-military surge, in coordination with 44 NATO allies.
Like the president, I am convinced that “Afghanistan is not lost,” but the status quo is “unsustainable.” As someone who criticized our previous failure to provide sufficient resources, troops, and attention to the war effort in Afghanistan, I believe that the Obama administration is addressing one of the biggest strategic mistakes made after 9/11: the failure to “finish the job” in Afghanistan.
Implementing this new strategy will not be easy. There is opposition on both ends of the political spectrum. Some on the left believe that the U.S. should begin to withdraw our troops and disengage from the region. I strongly disagree with this position, which would create a deadly security vacuum in Afghanistan and a destabilized Pakistan.
The U.S. and our allies cannot allow the downward spiral in the region to continue or let Taliban insurgents and Al-Qaeda overthrow the Afghan government. Moreover, we must prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a base from which to launch deadly attacks against the U.S. Instead of disengaging, we must enhance our cooperation with Pakistan, and prevent a nightmare situation in which a Pakistani nuclear weapon falls into the hands of extremists.
In response to these security imperatives, the president purposefully laid out the rationale and strategy behind his difficult decision to swiftly deploy 30,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan. These troops, along with a robust civilian surge, will enhance allied counterinsurgency efforts, provide security for the government and citizens in critical areas, and train Afghan military and police forces to take over from U.S. and international forces.
The president’s call to action is supported by allies and internationally. In fact, it was bolstered last Friday when NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen announced in Brussels that 25 countries have offered to send 7,000 more troops, on top of the 45,000 International Security Assistance Force and NATO troops who already are in Afghanistan.
I know that the president did not make the decision to deploy additional troops lightly. He expressed, as we all do, our unwavering gratitude, admiration, and support for American soldiers, including thousands who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. After eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the heavy burden on American soldiers and their families cannot be overlooked, nor can we ignore the enormous financial costs of open-ended conflicts. Despite the criticism, President Obama should be applauded for setting an achievable goal to begin withdrawing U.S. troops by July 2011. Afghans must realize that, while we are committed to their long-term security, stability, and prosperity, American military assistance and economic aid are not endless.
The Obama administration is correct that “our success in Afghanistan is inextricably linked to our partnership with Pakistan.” To achieve the president’s goal of “disrupting, dismantling, and defeating Al-Qaeda and its extremist allies,” the administration’s plan takes pains to address the most pressing issue facing the U.S. and our allies ? creating the conditions for greater security cooperation with Pakistan.
America must strike the right balance by providing greater economic, humanitarian, and security assistance to Pakistanis, while urging the government of Pakistan to redouble its efforts to dismantle and root out terrorist safe-havens.
We must remember that President Obama inherited the Afghan war on unfavorable terms and has crafted a strategy for success in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which will allow America and our allies to leave with dignity and within a reasonable time, while ensuring that a pre-9/11 Afghanistan does not reemerge. Politicians on the left and right will continue to criticize the President’s plan, but the unbridled truth is that it offers a ray of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. President Obama deserves our support.
Editor’s note: Robert Wexler represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District.