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As a candidate, President Barack Obama promised a break from the past and a new policy in the Middle East based on diplomacy, not war. But already there's a debate within his administration about whether he can live up to that promise.
On June 24, President Obama signed his war supplemental into law. Though the bill included language that bans permanent military bases in Afghanistan, Congress rejected an amendment that would require the president to submit an exit strategy for Afghanistan.
The U.S. needs to stop pouring good money into bad policies in the Middle East and engage in sustained diplomacy with Iran, withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, and begin real negotiations for peace in Afghanistan.
Here are our recommendations.
Urge Obama to Define an Exit Strategy for Afghanistan
Even though President Obama has said, "there's got to be an exit strategy," his administration has laid out plans only to expand the war in Afghanistan, without a pledge for withdrawal. A bipartisan bill in the House (H.R. 2404) would require the Secretary of Defense to present an exit strategy for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Make Sure U.S. Troops Withdraw from Iraq.
The United States should uphold the U.S. commitment with Iraq for complete withdrawal of all U.S. forces by December 2011. Residual forces are opposed by the majority of Iraqis and would incite further conflict in Iraq.
Talk with Iran.
The United States should affirm the importance of sustained and robust diplomacy with Iran. The U.S. needs a "grand bargain" with Iran's cooperation to stabilize Iraq and the wider region and resolve the impasse over Iran's nuclear program.
- Take Action: Urge Congress to talk to Iran.
- Learn more about FCNL's efforts to increase diplomacy with Iran.
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