Senator David Perdue Returns From Visiting Georgia Troops Overseas

Press Release

U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, just returned from a visit to Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The Congressional Delegation went to review the unfolding campaign against ISIS and to meet with some of America's closest partners about regional security threats.

"From ISIS to Iran, the United States faces a global security crisis. I specifically remain concerned about the lack of a strategy to defeat ISIS and prevent a nuclear Iran. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will help to ensure that we conduct vigorous oversight on the President's proposed policies, and will work to ensure America remains resolute in confronting terrorists and other adversaries.

"We continue to live in a dangerous world, and what we saw on the ground reinforces that we face both symmetric and asymmetric threats. ISIS has brought chaos and violence to an already troubled part of the world, and we have a lot of work to do if we are to extinguish their ambition of harming Americans and our allies. We must find decisive ways to destroy ISIS, and to ensure that terrorism of any kind does not reach our shores.

"While we have made significant progress in Afghanistan, it is important that we continue to review the suggested military withdrawal plan to give our troops enough time to effectively train the Afghan forces and avoid making the same mistakes of the past, which created a vacuum for ISIS and other terrorist groups to ascend to power in the region.

"Further, the current framework that was negotiated with Iran seems to pave the way for this rogue regime to develop a nuclear weapons capability. I am gravely concerned about the terms of the sunset, which will allow Iran to continue to conduct research and develop dangerous centrifuges down the road. In the coming weeks, we will ensure there is appropriate Congressional oversight of any final agreement.

"Most importantly, I had the opportunity to personally thank our men and women in uniform, and shared breakfast with several brave troops from Georgia. These American heroes are selflessly serving overseas, and their commitment to preserving our freedom should make every Georgian proud."

During the trip, Senator Perdue met with U.S. troops, military officials, and political leaders to discuss economic and security issues affecting bilateral relations. The Senator was briefed on the ground by General John Campbell, the four-star general who oversees international military operations in Afghanistan and Lieutenant General James Terry, who commands the combined joint task force in Iraq. Senator Perdue also met with American soldiers serving on the frontlines, including many from Georgia.

In addition to visiting with troops from Georgia, Senator Perdue met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, and Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.

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