The Politics and Policy of Future American Involvement In Afghanistan
Center for American Progress
1333 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Moderator
Rudy deLeon, Senior Vice President of International Security and Policy
Speakers
Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC)
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+ Reporting live from @CAPAction with @NatSecProgress, featuring @RepMcGovern (D-MA), @RepWalterJones (R-NC). Keep up with our stream here.
+ Today’s @CAPAction forum is live-streaming at www.americanprogress.org.
+ Big crowd here at the #CAPAfghan event. Follow @NatSecProgress/ @colincookman for live tweets. #p2 #Afghanistan http://t.co/j6oXbfM
+ Rudy deLeon, Senior Vice President of International Security and Policy at @CAPAction opens today’s panel. #CAPAfghan
+ “204 v. 215 votes was a turning point to a new strategy in Afghanistan,” says Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA). Advocates a dramatic policy shift.
+ Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) cites military families, his ultimate regret in sending troops to the “pain of war”. #CAPAfghan
+ The McGovern-Jones Amendment yielded 16 Republicans to a bipartisan cause in Afghanistan war policies and timelines, says @RepWalterJones.
+ “We were looking for an exit strategy. We were looking for a plan,” Rep. McGovern says. “We don’t have a defined mission.”#CAPAfghan
+ Rep. McGovern questions why 100,000+ troops needed to capture al-Qaeda members. Rep. Jones calls for internal Afghani security development.
+ RT @@colincookman Jones: Task of transitioning security in Afg so different from Iraq. US poorly positioned at this point to broker Afg settlement.#CAPAfghan
+ Benchmarks, deadlines, pressure from within #Afghanistan will spur action out of war. Taxpayers, corruption a main concern for @RepMcGovern.
+ McGovern cites #Iraq, #Korea, #Europe, as well as #USeconomic sustainability as reasons for continual presence in overseas conflict.
+ Moderator deLeon shifts to @RepWalterJones. “How will we take care of our veterans?” Walter Reed, PTSD a central tenant for decision making.
+ Rep. Jones asked unnamed General about “four more years” at war. Stands in support with Rep. McGovern 100% on shared withdrawal plan.
+ Questions from the press forwarded to both Congressman. How will policymaking, legislation affect the 2012 campaign cycle in the US?
+ McGovern, Jones: US military one of the greatest in the world. Yet, no victory in continual presence. Afghanistan will not be fully developed by 2014.
+ How do we move political negotiation and Afghani reconstruction forward by respecting human rights, international law? #CAPAfghan
+ “Karzai is not the right leader. But he is [Afghanistan]’s leader.” - @RepWalterJones
+ Q: How can we incentivize insurgents toward political solutions? #CAPAfghan
+ Reaching out to moderate elements, negotiating with extreme forces of the Taliban may be a solution, proposed by @RepMcGovern.
+ Moderator deLeon closes today’s conversation. For our Post-Panel, visit www.abainternatl.tumblr.com. #CAPAfghan
- Amanda Serfozo
amanda.serfozo@americanbar.org
