Withdrawing from Afghanistan is a courageous step. Here’s what must come next.
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This is a long and important email about the end of the United States’ 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. If you don’t have time to read this right now, but support our efforts to end the Forever War, please chip in here »
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Last week, Ro co-authored an op-ed with Senator Bernie Sanders in the Washington Post about the end of the United States’ 20-year involvement in Afghanistan, and what must come next.
In short: President Biden’s announcement of a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, is a courageous step that Ro and Bernie strongly support. It is also an opportunity to consider the enormous costs of nearly 20 years of war and commit to a better way of promoting Americans’ security and prosperity.
Since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, we’ve been sending brave service members — many of whom were just children, or weren’t even born, when the United States first invaded — to fight a mission that long ago strayed from its original purpose.
Executing a responsible and comprehensive withdrawal from Afghanistan is an essential first step toward Biden fulfilling his commitment to end “forever wars.” But more work must be done:
- The United States must use every ounce of its leverage to press Saudi Arabia to end its war of attrition and its blockade against Yemen, where the United Nations warns that 400,000 children could die of starvation this year without immediate action.
- We must also draw down U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, rein in the use of drones and other airstrikes, and begin a much more robust debate about whether the worldwide network of U.S. military bases is necessary for our national security.
- We must follow through on rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement and promote a broader Middle East regional dialogue to de-escalate conflicts.
Ro will continue to work with progressive allies like Bernie to push the Biden Administration on ending “forever wars” that do not increase our national security and consume hundreds of billions of dollars that could be spent on diplomacy, humanitarian aid, public health, and other urgent national priorities.
If you're with Ro, please chip in $5 or whatever you're able to our campaign and support our movement as we continue to make sure our priorities are heard by the Biden administration.
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Thank you,
Team Ro Khanna
