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Arab Americans & Iraq
Posted on Friday October 10, 2008
Arab Americans and Iraq
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In the 2008 elections, many Arab Americans will be guided by their reaction to post-9/11 policies, in both the domestic and foreign spheres. The debate about when and how best to end the war in Iraq will be a central issue for Arab Americans this year, as it will be for many Americans.
Arab Americans want a responsible end to the war in Iraq and strongly support the policies laid out in the 2006 Iraq Study Group Report; working with all of Iraq’s constituencies to achieve political reform and national reconciliation that will bring about stable, democratic governance based on tolerance, transparency, and respect for liberal institutions. In order to achieve sustainable political reconciliation in Iraq, the United States must lead diplomatic efforts and directly engage all countries in the Middle East, including Iran and Syria, when working towards a plan for peace and stability.
Arab Americans believe the U.S. should more vigorously seek international support in the reconstruction of Iraq. This would not only reduce the financial and practical burden of the United States, it would also help to minimize negative perceptions of the American presence in Iraq. Through the development of international support, progress in reconstruction and Iraqi political consensus, we can achieve the stability necessary to bring our troops, including thousands of Arab Americans, home.
What happens in Iraq after our troop withdrawal is also of major concern to Arab Americans. More must be done by all parties to resolve the crisis facing refugees and internally displaced persons, especially vulnerable groups like Chaldeans and Assyrians. In addition, particular attention must be paid to the tens of thousands who worked with the United States and now as a result find themselves at risk. Congress and the President acknowledge the debt we owe to them, a debt we have been too slow in meeting.
McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. McCain believes that it would be a grave mistake to leave before Al Qaeda in Iraq is defeated and before a competent, trained, and capable Iraqi security force is in place and operating effectively. The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home. McCain has been a leading advocate of the ‘surge’ and the counterinsurgency strategy carried out by General David Petraeus. At the end of 2006, four years of a badly conceived military strategy that concentrated American troops on large bases brought us near to the point of no return. McCain supported sending reinforcements to Iraq to implement a classic counterinsurgency strategy of securing the population. McCain understands how important it is to the future of the entire region to leave behind a stable, secure Iraq. McCain’s aim aspires for an “Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood.” A stable Iraq will also apply real pressure to Syria and Iran to change their behavior. John McCain supports such pressure, as well as bolstering American regional military posture to assert American determination to protect United States forces, deter Iranian intervention, and secure democracy in Iraq. Presidential Goals Speech, May 2008 Iraq Funding Amendment Statement Los Angeles World Affairs Council, March 2008 Address to National Rifle Association, September 2007 Letter to President Opposing Mandated Withdrawal from Iraq, November 2007 Virginia Military Institute Speech, April 2007 Presidency IV Forum Speech, October 2007 Arab Americans for McCain Official Website John McCain on Security in the Middle EastMcCain and the Iraq War
Links to Select Remarks on Iraq
Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and in the 2002 lead up to the war, had the judgment and courage to speak out against the war. He said the war would lead to “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs and undetermined consequences.”
Obama believes we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in and will work to end the war as soon as he takes office; the removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government, with the goal of safe redeployment over 16 months.
Obama believes a residual force should remain in Iraq and in the region to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel and to assist in training Iraqi security forces so they can prevent the spread of violence, genocide or an al-Qaeda safe haven in Iraq.
Obama’s plan for a phased withdrawal will encourage Iraqis to take the lead in securing their own country and making political compromises, while the responsible pace of redeployment offers time for Iraqi political reconciliation necessary to reach compromises on oil revenue sharing, the equitable provision of services, federalism, the status of disputed territories, new elections, aid to displaced Iraqis, and the reform of Iraqi security forces.
Barack Obama understands how important it is to the future of the entire region to leave behind a stable, secure Iraq. As U.S. troops redeploy, Obama will launch an aggressive diplomatic effort to reach a comprehensive compact on the stability of Iraq and the region. This effort will include all of Iraq’s neighbors—including Iran and Syria, as suggested by the bi-partisan The Iraq Study Group Report. This compact will aim to secure Iraq’s borders; keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq’s sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction and development.
Links to Select Remarks on Iraq
Renewing American Foreign Policy
