Katrina vanden Heuvel: Progressive Caucus Report on Afghanistan

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Progressive Caucus Report on Afghanistan
posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel on 05/12/2009 @ 4:20pm


The Congressional Progressive Caucus has released a set of recommendations based on its series of forums on Afghanistan--the sixth and last of which will be held Wednesday. It's releasing the report now so its membership may consider it in deciding how to vote on the $96 billion War Supplemental this week.

Here is a preview of just a few of the valuable recommendations in the report:

"Require an 80-20 ratio (political-military) with all future US funding, with a special inspector general to monitor the implementation of this ratio"

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"Require the immediate cessation of drone attacks"

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"Require UN involvement in overseeing and mandating the role of US and international military operations.... Require any increase in US troop presence is oriented to training and support roles for Afghan security forces...not for US-led counterinsurgency efforts."

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While I personally would like to see a call for immediate withdrawal of US troops, and a sharp and smart focus on diplomatic and political solutions to the conflict, these recommendations would improve the current strategy of escalation that destabilizes the region and threatens President Obama's domestic and international agenda. Kudos to the Progressive Caucus for setting up these forums, listening to people with a deep understanding of the issues, and putting forth recommendations in a timely manner.

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http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/435265/