Jan. 7, 2007
6:00 pm
Kuwait City, Kuwait

Just landed in Kuwait. The 11 hour flight went as fast as can be expected -- but it is still a long distance -- and that is a reminder of just how impressively our military manages the challenges that are thrown its way. Logistics and transportation don't often get headlines; they are crucial to military operations. An 11 hour flight for one individual is one thing, but moving an army halfway around the world and putting it in position to perform as the best fighting force on earth is a truly amazing feat.

Jan. 7, 2007
7:30 pm
Camp Arifijan, Kuwait

I was excited to see General Hardy, who greeted me at Kuwait International Airport and escorted me to Camp Arifjan, where he is deputy commander. Before he came to Kuwait, he did a fine job serving at Fort Riley back in Kansas. He plays a big role in getting supplies into Iraq. The scale of this operation is astounding. Two million gallons of fuel and 700,000 meals move into Iraq every day. General Hardy and I had a great conversation about this mission and the latest developments in Iraq.

Jan. 7, 2007
10:00 pm
Camp Arifijan, Kuwait

Just had dinner with soldiers from Kansas, including the troops of the 635th Kansas National Guard Regional Support Group. They are in the middle of a one year deployment in and out of Hutchinson, Kansas. I was impressed with their commitment and their determination, especially given their lengthy separation from family and friends back home.

Jan. 8, 2007
5:00 am
Islamabad, Pakistan

After a relatively quick three hour flight, I have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan. I couldn't help but notice that the in-flight map display showed our flight path going across southern Iran. It felt a strange to be in the airspace of a nation so hostile to the United States (and the rest of the world, for that matter).

In Kuwait just a few hours before, General Hardy mentioned the growing power of Iran in southern Iraq and the nervousness generated across the region by an increasingly aggressive Iranian regime. I expect that Iran's wide-ranging influence will be a recurring theme on this trip.

Jan. 8, 2007
6:00 am
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan

I am already experiencing the effects of President Bush's many recent personnel changes. The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, is expected to become the new ambassador to Iraq. Crocker's resume shows his career-long experience working in the Arab world, which will be crucial in the coming months in Baghdad.

Ambassador Crocker and I had a good discussion about U.S. policy in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I have worked closely with Pakistan's leaders for years, going back to my time as chairman of the South Asia Subcommittee on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Given the ongoing problems straddling the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, as well as the Islamic extremism throughout the region, Pakistan's role in the war on terrorism is as important as ever.

Jan. 8, 2007
8:00 am
Kabul, Afghanistan

After meetings in Islamabad, I moved to a C-130 transport plane bound for Afghanistan. I am glad this flight came in the morning so that I could see the terrain, which is simply indescribable. Many thanks to the Puerto Rican National Guard crew for letting me slip into the cockpit for a bird's eye view of some of the world's most rugged terrain.

It is historic ground. The area between Islamabad and Kabul, including the Khybar Pass, was at the heart of the so-called Great Game between Russia and Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. And before that, Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan passed through.

Of course, the U.S. liberation of Afghanistan adds a new chapter to the history of the area. I expect to hear the latest update on the fight against extremists in Afghanistan shortly.

Jan. 8, 2007
2:00 pm
Sharana, Afghanistan

I am thrilled that the weather cooperated enough for me to take a helicopter ride to one of the Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). As the Karzai government gets on its feet, it must extend its authority throughout all of Afghanistan's territory, including many historically volatile regions.

Each PRT consists of U.S. soldiers, Afghan government officials and U.S. officials from the State Department and other agencies. These teams improve security, facilitate local projects and work to enhance the capacity of local Afghan officials.

I visited PRT Sharana, south of Kabul and not far from the volatile border. The team I visited has made a number of strides, building roads and schools and expanding the reach of the Afghan government to areas that have, for the most part, never been governed before.

Jan. 8, 2007
6:00 pm
Kabul, Afghanistan

This evening, I met with the Afghan Defense Minister, General Wardak. He faces numerous challenges but is optimistic that the Afghan National Army will continue to grow, improve and overcome the insurgents.

Following that meeting, I went to the palace to meet with President Karzai. I first made contact with Karzai in 2000 when he testified at a hearing I chaired on what might take place after the Taliban.

As it turned out, Karzai has been able to put his ideas into place, and Afghanistan continues to depend on his insightful leadership.

We covered a number of regional security issues and discussed the war on terrorism. Of course, we also discussed the priorities for Afghanistan, which include limiting any resurgence by the Taliban and continuing to expand the capacity of the Afghan government to provide for its citizens.

Jan. 9, 2007
8:00 am
Doha, Qatar

The meeting with Prime Minister Karzai took us into the early evening, which meant I didn't get to our air force base in Qatar until quite late.

Nevertheless, this morning's schedule started quickly. I had breakfast with U.S. Ambassador Untemeyer and the commanders of the base where I spent the night. In between checking the score of the college football national championship game (which entertained the troops during breakfast), we chatted about the U.S. military presence in Qatar and the local perceptions of events in Iraq and Iran. It seems that everyone in the region is anxious to see the administration's new plan, which is due out on Wednesday.

Jan. 9, 2007
7:00 pm
Baghdad, Iraq

I boarded another C-130 to head into Iraq. The crew, of course, was both capable and professional, just as the others have been. Nevertheless, getting fitted out with a Kevlar helmet and flak jacket gave this flight a different feel.

We arrived at the international zone safely, though even inside the zone, we have to travel by convoy. There wasn't much time to spare. I went immediately to a meeting with General Raymond Odierno, who is the commander of the Multi-National Corps, Iraq. We had a frank discussion about the need to improve things in Iraq quickly. The general told me he believes things can turn around in Baghdad, but I reminded him that we do not have much time to wait.

After that meeting I went immediately to a lunch with Ambassador Khalilzad and Multinational Forces-Iraq commander General Casey. Here again, we had a frank discussion about the difficult situation in Iraq, both in terms of getting security responsibility turned over to the Iraqis and in terms of the Iraqi government forging some type of agreement to get to a political equilibrium between Iraq's ethnic and sectarian groups.

There was no time to waste after that. I proceeded to four consecutive meetings with Iraqi officials, including a deputy president, a deputy prime minister, the minister of defense and the national security advisor - two Sunnis and two Shi'a. I noted that the Sunnis tend to blame Iraq's problems on Iran, and the Shi'a tend to blame al Qaeda for the insurgency. Both have an element of truth, but neither tells the whole story. The sectarian tension, whatever its source, is real.

After several consecutive hours of meetings I am skipping dinner to rest up for the remainder of the evening.

Jan. 9, 2007
8:00 am
Baghdad, Iraq

Last night, after freshening up a bit, I met with Prime Minister Maliki. We had a very good and frank discussion about the violence in his country and the political situation in the United States. I made it clear that America cannot afford to wait for progress and that things must improve very quickly. I appreciated the prime minister's optimism that his security forces could bring things under control in the near future.

Now, however, I am off to Erbil to visit the Kurdish Regional Government. Since the U.S. maintained a no-fly zone over the area after the 1991 Gulf War, the Kurds have developed the beginnings of a stable, free and open society. I look forward to seeing what they have been able to achieve and hearing their views on what is transpiring in the rest of Iraq.

Jan. 10, 2007
4:00 pm
Erbil, Kurdish region, Iraq

Traveling through the Kurdish region is something like traveling through a different country. We drove the streets of Erbil and Salah-ad-Din without fear of IEDs. We were able to observe a lot of new construction and by all indications the area, while impoverished, is growing and advancing. The drive to the home of Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish Regional President, passed quickly, as we drove through some quite impressive mountain scenery.

President Barzani was a very gracious host and we engaged in a dialogue about Iraq for quite a long period of time. We were in agreement that federalism is the best way forward for Iraq, so that the Shi'a and the Sunnis can develop their own regions just as the Kurds have - though we both understand that convincing the Sunnis of this point will be difficult.

Now I am headed out of Iraq, making my way through a couple of airports and headed for Ethiopia, where I will visit yet another major front in the war on terror.

Jan. 12, 2007
1:00 pm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I flew over night to Addis Ababa after leaving Iraq.  I originally planned on visiting Iraq and Afghanistan, but added Ethiopia to the itinerary after hearing of their actions in Somalia.

I had a couple days to spend in Ethiopia and scheduled a variety of different meetings.  After sitting down for a briefing from our embassy staff, I spent the first day focused on the African Union, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa.  I met with the new U.S. ambassador to the AU and then went to AU headquarters to chat with the organization's deputy president.

The AU is a critical multilateral organization that is developing the capacity to address a wide range of regional security, political and economic issues.  The situation in Somalia, as I mentioned to the deputy president, presents the AU with an enormous opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness at mobilizing support for a still-fragile transitional government in Somalia.  In addition to Somalia, we discussed several other topics, including the latest in the Darfur region of Sudan as well as African development issues.

Jan. 12, 2007
6:00 pm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Late in the afternoon, I received a briefing from Rear Admiral Hunt, who commands the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, operating out of Djibouti.  The task force obviously keeps a close eye on regional security, particularly as it relates to Islamic extremism.  Rear Admiral Hunt shared my enthusiasm for what Ethiopia achieved in Somalia and we talked about how things might develop in the next several weeks and months.

Jan. 13, 2007
12:00 pm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The following day provided one of the great highlights of my entire trip.  I visited a garden in the heart of Addis Ababa which is cultivated by those affected by the AIDS epidemic.  When an AIDS victim dies, family members are often left without income or some means of support.  This garden, which receives funding from the United States, helps hundreds of Ethiopians grow food for themselves and their families.  It is an urban oasis that not only provides food but is also a source of pride for its beneficiaries.  Meeting these people, who are working so hard to care for their families, was a deeply moving experience.

In addition to visiting the garden, I also toured a community center for Somali refugees.  There are as many as 20,000 Somali refugees in and around Addis Ababa, and this center - and others like it - provides a way for these refugees to connect with one another, reach out to family members and other members of the Somali Diaspora, and adjust to life outside their homeland.  The center also helps Somalis build basic skills, with a particular focus on literacy.

Jan. 13, 2007
2:00 pm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

After visiting these two projects, I had lunch with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee for the Red Cross.  We talked about the regional humanitarian situation and the prospects for refugee populations in and around Ethiopia.  On a broader level, there is reason to be optimistic about refugee flows in Africa.  In a number of places, like West Africa, thousands of refugees are returning home after many years of conflict.  If the situation can stabilize in Somalia, many more refugees may return.

Of course, there are still apparently intractable issues in Sudan and elsewhere, but repatriation and resettlement efforts are having some noteworthy successes.

Jan. 13, 2007
11:00 pm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

In the afternoon, I had two key meetings, first with the Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and next with the Prime Minister.  In both cases we discussed Ethiopia's move into Somalia, as well as the broader relationship between our two countries.  I was particularly impressed with Prime Minister Meles, who is both thoughtful and articulate.  It is clear that Ethiopia's strategy in Somalia was well planned and executed, no doubt thanks in part to Meles's leadership.

The relationship between the U.S. and Ethiopia has not always been strong, and our two countries are likely to have disagreements in the future, but Ethiopia's willingness to step forward and take decisive action in the war on terrorism should not go unnoticed.  I believe there is a real opportunity for Congress to maximize the latest situation in the Horn of Africa to reinvigorate our relationship with the region and help the Somali people.

At the same time, we have to remain true to our core principles.  At dinner that evening, I heard from opposition party leaders about official efforts to muzzle its political opponents.  On the path of political development, Ethiopia is head and shoulders above most of the rest of Africa, but as these parliamentarians noted, there is still work to be done.  Going forward, I hope that the U.S.-Ethiopia bilateral relationship can be managed as one where concerns can be raised and addressed among friends.

Dinner capped off a very enjoyable two-day stop in Ethiopia.  I am thrilled with their contributions in the war on terror and I'm optimistic about the future of our relationship.

Further Thoughts on Iraq

The flight home from Ethiopia gave me a chance to reflect further on U.S. policy in Iraq, based on my recent time there.

The first thing that stands out in my mind - and the biggest bright spot - is the irrepressible spirit of our men and women in uniform.  I ran across all sorts of soldiers in all sorts of capacities, from the flight crews to logistical support teams and from new recruits to veterans of multiple tours.  Their enthusiasm is infectious and their determination is inspiring.

We often say that we have the best armed forces in the world.  After spending time with the troops in theater, I can confirm that such a statement is not just a good sound bite - it is a fact.  I can think of no other place in the world that can boast of so many courageous, committed and talented volunteers so willing to make sacrifices whenever the country calls upon them.  They continue to deserve our great respect and admiration for performing so ably under such difficult circumstances.

And they are difficult circumstances.  The country still feels like an occupation zone.  I guess I can say I was physically present in Baghdad, but I certainly did not experience the city itself - only the concrete barricades inside the massive international zone.  I would have to say the environment is no better now than during my last visit in March 2005.  The three mortar rounds that exploded inside the international zone during one meeting with an Iraqi vice-president underscore the point.

My long-time interest in Iraq makes this assessment particularly disappointing.  During my earliest days on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I chaired the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Middle East and held some of the first hearings on what to do about Saddam Hussein's regime.  I carried the Iraq Liberation Act on the floor of the Senate and help get $100 million for the Iraqi National Congress.  I also attended some of the INC's first meetings in London and New York.  In short, I have been committed to a free, safe and secure Iraq from the very beginning.

But during my meetings this week, I found little reason for optimism that the sectarian violence will dissipate any time soon.  The Sunni leaders blamed everything on the Shi'a, and the Shi'a likewise blamed everything on the Sunnis.  The Kurdish leadership pointed out that the Sunni and Shi'a only meet when the Kurds call the meeting.  All of this suggests that at the present time, the United States cares more about a peaceful Iraq than the Iraqis do.  Given that reality, it is difficult to understand why more U.S. troops would make a difference. 

One other bright spot during my time in Iraq was my visit to the northern part of the country, the Kurdish region.  Here, the security situation is stable and business is booming.  The Kurds are demonstrating what is possible for the rest of Iraq when the violence recedes.  But the Kurds maintain a pragmatic outlook.  Some of their leaders expressed reluctance at the idea of committing Kurdish forces to Baghdad out of fear that they might become embroiled in the sectarian fight themselves.  If Iraqis in the Kurdish region feel this way, why should we feel any different?

Simply put, the Iraqis have to resolve these sectarian differences - we cannot do it for them.  This does not mean we should pull out of Iraq and leave behind a security vacuum or a safe haven for terrorists.  It does mean that there must be bipartisan agreement on our force posture in Iraq.  We cannot fight a war with only one political party supporting the effort.

I think most people agree that a cut and run strategy does not serve U.S. interests, but I would like to hear ideas from the other side of the aisle about how we can pursue our interests in Iraq with as much support as possible from the American people.  Only a broadly supported, bipartisan strategy will allow us to remain in Iraq for the length of time necessary to ensure regional stability and the defeat of the terrorists.

And make no mistake—we may need to be in Iraq for a long period of time.  Though we should leave the business of patrolling the streets to the Iraqis, we must hunt down the terrorists who emerge in Iraq and balance the aggressive moves by nations like Iran, who exploit Iraq's instability for its own geopolitical gain. Those missions will be with us into the foreseeable future, which is why it is so vital that we get to a bipartisan way forward on Iraq as soon as possible.

As we refine our military posture, we should also enlist the support of Iraq's neighbors through a diplomatic initiative similar to the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton Commission.  Each of Iraq's neighbors can benefit from a peaceful Iraq, and they can assist us in reaching a political equilibrium among Iraq's various groups.  This includes Iran and Syria, who are clearly meddling in Iraq but whose cooperation will be necessary for any political solution in Iraq to be relevant for the long-term.

To be successful, such a diplomatic initiative will require a great amount of attention and hard work.  Thus, I recommend that Secretary Rice and Vice-President Cheney spend quite a bit of time in Iraq, practicing shuttle diplomacy and laying the groundwork for a meeting of leaders from all three major ethno-sectarian groups outside of Iraq.  An outside meeting, similar to the Dayton accords that helped resolve the conflict in Bosnia, would provide the context for intense, sustained discussions aimed at a durable, long-term political settlement.

I suspect that such a political settlement will end up along the lines of a three state, one nation plan, in which each of Iraq's major groups end up with an autonomous region in a loosely federated Iraq.  Such an arrangement provides the best way for each group to manage its own affairs while preserving Iraq's territorial integrity.

We have made many mistakes in Iraq, and things have not gone as we would have hoped.  Still, we have invested the lives of more than 3,000 of our nation's best and brightest in Iraq and the mission for whom they died is not yet complete.  We still need political equilibrium if we are to achieve a united, stable and democratic Iraq.  We cannot afford to lose in Iraq, and I still believe we can and will win.  We must win for the future of the region and the future of the world.  But that victory will require more than bullets.  It will require political arrangements in and around Iraq to move past the sectarian killing and toward a peaceful future for the Iraqi people.