By John Kerry, Russ Feingold
We are determined to win the war on terror and recognize that there is no more important objective than defeating the global terrorist networks that threaten us today. We know the United States must strengthen its hand in dealing with Iran's nuclear threat. We refuse to accept the Taliban retaking Afghanistan. We recognize the growing threat of a potential new al Qaeda beachhead in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
For these reasons -- and foremost because it is critical to strengthening our national security -it is long past time to set a deadline for the redeployment of American forces out of Iraq.
Our enemies are thrilled we're bogged down in Iraq. The terrorists are thrilled we're stuck in a quagmire. And we're ignoring growing threats around the world that truly threaten our national security.
There is a better choice - the only responsible choice for our security: redeploying our troops from Iraq. Our troops have done their job in Iraq. It's time to redeploy them so that we can focus our resources on defeating al Qaeda and its affiliated terrorist groups. At the same time, it's time for Iraqis to stand up for Iraq. To make Iraq self-reliant, we need clear deadlines, not an open-ended commitment of U.S. forces.
We know the verdict of our generals: our troops have accomplished their military mission; the only way forward is a political settlement. We need to listen to General Casey, the top American military commander in Iraq, who argued that our large military presence "feeds the notion of occupation" and "extends the amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become self-reliant." Iraqi politicians have proven they only respond to deadlines - a deadline to transfer authority, and deadlines to hold three elections. It was only the most intense eleventh-hour pressure that brought forward a consensus Prime Minister. It was the only the most intense eleventh-hour pressure that forced the Iraqis to complete their government. And that is why we need a deadline now for Iraqis to stand up and fight for their own country.
It is time to set a schedule with the new Iraqi government for the redeployment of American combat forces. Doing so will empower the new Iraqi leadership, put Iraqis in the position of running their own country and undermine support for the insurgency. There is no doubt that much of the instability in Iraq is being fueled by the majority of Iraqis who want us to leave their country. Only troops essential to finishing the job of training Iraqi forces and conducting targeted anti-terrorist operations should remain.
Key to this transition is a long overdue engagement in serious and sustained diplomacy. To give Iraq its best hope for a peaceful future, convene a summit that includes the leaders of that country, its neighbors, and representatives from the Arab League, NATO, the UN and the European Union to forge the comprehensive political solution that is necessary to bring stability to Iraq. Making it clear that America will not stay in Iraq forever pressures the regional players to step up and assume their fair share of the burden - indeed it may be the only step that will get Iraqis' neighbors directly, and positively, engaged in helping establish the stability of Iraq.
The United States should maintain an over-the-horizon military presence in the Middle East to support counter-terrorist operations, such as those that resulted in the killing of al-Zarqawi, and protect regional security interests. But it is essential to understand that the longer we stay in Iraq, the more we delay Iraqis creating stability, and the less safe our country is from the real threats that face us around the world.
Congress, which shares responsibility for getting us into Iraq, must take responsibility for helping to get us out. It is time for Iraqis to do their job - it's time for Iraqis to stand up for Iraq. It's time for Iraqis to want democracy for themselves as much as we want it for them, and it is time for the United States to act in the best interests of our national security both in Iraq and in the broader war against al Qaeda and its affiliates. We must redeploy to win - and we will put this national security imperative to a test in the United States Senate this week.