Our Strategy in Afghanistan

By Congressman Hank Johnson

The White House should be applauded for its deliberative approach to the comprehensive strategic review of U.S. policy in Afghanistan. A rush to judgment on a matter of such great consequence would be inexcusable. The United States must implement a focused and coherent policy to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a sanctuary for militants and terrorists who threaten American security interests.  President Obama deserves a chance to implement such a strategy, though I maintain that our objectives must be concretely defined and demonstrably achievable.

Afghanistan’s proximity to Pakistan, a struggling nuclear state whose frontier provinces are a haven for warlords and terrorists, makes Afghan security critical to global security. Afghanistan must not become an unimpeded sanctuary for militants and terrorists who would undermine Pakistan’s security, threaten the security of its nuclear arsenal, and plot terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies.

As a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I join my colleagues in continuing to conduct vigorous oversight of our strategy in Afghanistan.   I am confident and hopeful that the President will present a coherent, viable plan to achieve our national security objectives.  After nearly a decade of sustained armed conflict, our armed forces are under strain; as a member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Subcommittee on Military Personnel, the morale and well-being of our armed forces will be constantly on my mind as we weigh our options in Afghanistan.

We have a direct and compelling national security interest in this region’s stability.  We must act accordingly.

[Last updated November 10, 2009]