Iraq/Afghanistan

Iraq

The United States has been involved in military operations in Iraq since March 2003 with costs from the American taxpayers over $806 billion to date.  The war in Iraq has lasted far longer and has cost the American people far more in lives and money than anticipated. While I supported our efforts in Iraq, I believe it is an appropriate time to withdraw our military presence in accordance with our agreement regarding the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from the Iraqi territory no later than December 31, 2011.
 
American troops have accomplished much in Iraq, and we have seen positive steps for the Iraqi government, such as their first democratic elections and the training of their own forces.  After nearly nine years of American sacrifice in Iraq the Iraqi government and Iraqi forces must assume full responsibility for that nation’s security so that we can withdraw our troops now.  

Afghanistan

The presence of our military in Afghanistan was intended to bring justice to those guilty for the horrific attacks against the United States. Sated U.S. policy is to ensure that Afghanistan will not again become a safe haven for global terrorism.  Criteria in judging achievement of that goal has included locating and apprehending the mastermind of the Al Qaeda organization and its’ attacks, Osama Bin Laden, paving the way for a gradual security transition to Afghan leadership by 2014, and assisting the Afghan government to govern effectively and develop economically.

Our forces have been involved in Afghanistan for nearly 10 years and during that time an estimated $557 billion have been spent in Afghanistan and many lives of our armed forces have been lost.  As of the end of 2011, U.S. troop presence has fallen to about 89,000 from the height of our presence of 99,000 in the beginning of July 2011.  In May 2012, a NATO meeting in Chicago will determine our strategy for the drawdown of our remaining troops by the end of 2014, as agreed to at the November 2010 NATO summit in Lisbon.

With a deficit of $1.5 trillion and the recent death of Osama Bin Laden, I think it’s appropriate that we discuss an exit strategy for our military that is based on conditions on the ground.