Manchin Calls on President to Bring All Troops Home From Afghanistan Once and For All
Senator Manchin sends a letter to the White House
Senator Manchin yesterday sent a letter to the White House requesting President Obama to reconsider his decision to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after December 2014 and continue to prepare for a complete withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the region by the end of this year.
Senator Manchin wrote, in part: “Inevitably, our substantial sponsorship of the Afghan state will end. Whether that happens tomorrow or in 2016 or later, the inevitable outcome is a corrupt narco-state unwilling to abide by international norms or support American interests. In that context, I find it immoral to continue putting American lives at risk for a foregone conclusion.
“I therefore ask you again to revisit your decision to retain 9,800 American service members in Afghanistan after 2014. This number will not turn the tide of corruption, reverse the ineptitude of Afghan leadership, or undo the long history of regional tribalism that has rebuffed every Western attempt to shape the state of Afghanistan.”
Please read the full text of Senator Manchin’s letter below.
June 10, 2014
President Barack H. Obama
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I support the military ethic that no comrade be left behind on the battlefield. With our last unaccounted-for service member in Afghanistan safely in U.S. control, it is now time to turn our attention to expediting the return of all American service members from Afghanistan.
Our war in Afghanistan—which began for the right reasons, with limited goals—has now consumed 12 years, untold billions of dollars, and cost the lives of more than two thousand brave Americans.
Unfortunately, this investment has not reduced the endemic corruption that impedes the Afghan government’s ability to provide security or services throughout the country. To provide a fraction of those things today the Afghan government’s relies considerably on support from the United States and the international community.
Inevitably, our substantial sponsorship of the Afghan state will end. Whether that happens tomorrow or in 2016 or later, the inevitable outcome is a corrupt narco-state unwilling to abide by international norms or support American interests. In that context, I find it immoral to continue putting American lives at risk for a foregone conclusion.
I therefore ask you again to revisit your decision to retain 9,800 American service members in Afghanistan after 2014. This number will not turn the tide of corruption, reverse the ineptitude of Afghan leadership, or undo the long history of regional tribalism that has rebuffed every Western attempt to shape the state of Afghanistan.
Mr. President, end the war in Afghanistan and bring our remaining troops home.
Respectfully,
Joe Manchin III
United States Senator
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