Iraq: End the War

Iraqi protests of security agreement November 2008.

Iraqis protest the agreement. The
vast majority of the Iraqi people
want U.S. troops to leave in less
than three years. Photo courtesy of
Raed Jarrar.

The United States and Iraq will likely reach an agreement in early December that U.S. combat forces should withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 2009, with all U.S. forces gone by December 31, 2011.

Agreeing on a date for withdrawal is a step in the right direction. The way this agreement has been reached, however, undermines the constitutions of both Iraq and the United States because neither the U.S. Congress nor the Iraqi Parliament has been asked to ratify the agreement by a two-thirds vote. In late November, the Iraqi parliament passed the agreement by a majority, on the condition that it be approved by a popular vote in August 2009.

We at FCNL oppose any continued U.S. military presence in Iraq. At a minimum Congress should insist that the legislatures of both countries have the opportunity to approve this agreement by a two-thirds vote. Find out more about why Congress should take a stand on this agreement.

Congress Bans Permanent Bases
but Funding for Base Building Continues

The supplemental war funding bill and the recently passed military authorization bill prohibit permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. Congress continues, however, to fund the construction of additional military bases.

A Focused Movement to Change Policy

FCNL has helped the diplomatic recommendations of two reports gain traction in Congress: those of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and the Task Force for a Responsible Withdrawal from Iraq. FCNL supports all-inclusive diplomacy inside Iraq and with all of the country's neighbors to help end the war, stabilize the region, and avert war with Iran.

Here is what you can do: ask your member of Congress to support The Necessary Steps for a Responsible Withdrawal from Iraq.

Email List: Iraq and Region Updates

Read the latest edition to learn what Congress is doing on Iraq and the region and look at past editions.

Key Articles

Lawmaker Accuses Bush of Secrecy over Iraq Deal (Reuters, November 19, 2008)

US Lawmakers Debate US-Iraq Security Accord
(Voice of America, November 20, 2008)

Contact

if you have questions or comments.

RESOURCES:

Senate Republicans and Democrats call for diplomacy with Iraq's neighbors.

Current legislation on U.S. policy on Iraq.

Eight Tips for a Successful Lobby Visit ( PDF).

Resources on Iraq

Reviewed: 12/04/2008->



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