Dem vets express ‘grave concerns’ about lack of Afghan strategy

Four House Democrats, all veterans, expressed “grave concern” Wednesday about the future of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.

“We write to express our grave concerns regarding the future direction of the war in Afghanistan, a conflict which is the longest in the history of our nation,” the representatives wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis. “We agree with your assessment that ‘we are not winning,’ but with this in mind, it is disconcerting that nearly five months into the new administration, a plan for how to achieve our national security objectives in Afghanistan remains unfinished.”

The letter was signed by Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Ted Lieu (Calif.), John Conyers (Mich.) and Jimmy Panetta (Calif.).

{mosads}Last week, President Trump gave Mattis the authority to set troop levels in Afghanistan. The decision came hours after Mattis told senators that “we are not winning” in Afghanistan.

Mattis has said there will still be an interagency review on overall Afghanistan strategy, with the resulting strategy ultimately subject to Trump’s approval.

Mattis has promised the strategy will be ready by mid-July.

In a statement accompanying the release of the letter, Gallego said it was “unacceptable” that there’s no strategy yet.

“It’s completely unacceptable that six months into the new administration, President Trump and his advisors still can’t agree on a strategy,” he said.

Lieu added that it was “deeply troubling.”

“The American people deserve a clear cut plan for strategic success, not political bluster and inconsistent, inadequate leadership,” he said in a statement.

In their letter, the lawmakers expressed skepticism that the few thousand more troops requested by Gen. John Nicholson will make a difference.

“Given the fact that U.S. forces in Afghanistan numbered more than 60,000 just five years ago, we are unconvinced that the addition of 3,000 to 5,000 American troops will be sufficient to quickly or sustainably roll back the advances achieved by the Taliban,” they wrote.

More troops might bring “limited, short-term gains,” they continued, but those gain won’t last without a long-term strategy and diplomatic effort.

“For this reason, in your upcoming strategy, we strongly urge you to recommit the United States to seeking a political solution to the war in Afghanistan,” they wrote. “Moreover, your plan must also convey the clear message that America’s commitment is not open-ended.  After 16 years of fighting and the loss of thousands of American lives, the United States must be unambiguous about its intention to eventually draw down American forces.”