Afghanistan

This from Jim Wallis at Sojourner:

The War in Afghanistan has dragged on for more than seven years and, by all accounts, is getting worse. We believe only a surge in funding for diplomacy and development -- not more military escalation -- will bring long-term peace to the troubled region. Call on President Obama to continue supporting more economic development, not more military escalation, in Afghanistan. I will personally take this petition to the White House, expressing our opposition to further military escalation, and our support for diplomacy and non-military assistance. Simply sending additional troops will not provide security and stability for the Afghan people. Civilian deaths caused by American airstrikes and ground assaults are rapidly turning Afghan public opinion against our troops. Last month, the head of the U.S. military’s Joint Special Operations Command halted some raids in Afghanistan, implicitly acknowledging this fact. (1) A recent report published by The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace concluded, “The mere presence of foreign soldiers fighting a war in Afghanistan is probably the single most important factor in the resurgence of the Taliban.” (2) And David Cortright, president of the Fourth Freedom Forum, wrote in Sojourners, “Few things are certain about the complex insurgencies raging in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but one thing seems clear: A military surge and escalation of the war will make matters worse, not better.” (3) Tell the president you believe that escalation of the war in Afghanistan will not bring peace and stability.  Now is the right time to support solutions that could lead to a lasting peace. Some economic development activity is already taking place in Afghanistan, and we applaud the president’s budget request to Congress to increase non-military assistance, providing additional funding for governance, reconstruction, and other development activities that will help counter extremists. However, instead of increasing our military profile, the U.S. should shift funding from military offensives to providing security and protection for civilian efforts to erect schools for young women, strengthen civil society institutions, promote traditional justice mechanisms that encourage the rule of law, help to remove old weapons and land mines, foster local agricultural projects, and make similar efforts. Providing a better life for the people will provide greater stability than sending additional military forces. Take action with me today to voice your support for full funding of development assistance to Afghanistan, and oppose continued offensive military strikes. I encourage you to keep the people of Afghanistan and our troops in your prayers. Blessings, Jim Wallis (1) “U.S. Halted Some Raids in Afghanistan,” Mark Mazzetti and Eric Schmitt, The New York Times, March 9, 2009; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/world/asia/10terror.html?scp=5&sq=afghanistan&st=cse (2) “Focus and Exit: An Alternative Strategy for the Afghan War,” Gilles Dorronsoro, Visiting Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, http://carnegieendowment.org/files/afghan_war-strategy.pdf (3) “'Winning' in Afghanistan,” David Cortright, president, Fourth Freedom Forum, http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0903&article=winning-in-afghanistan