Issue Position: Afghanistan-Pakistan Study Group

Issue Position

In 2009, I called on President Obama to create a bipartisan panel of nationally known figures outside of government to assess the strategy in Afghanistan. I cited reports of eroding political and public support for the war and emphasized that the panel would reinvigorate national confidence in the effort.

When the U.S. was faced with a similar situation in Iraq, I offered legislation that created the Iraq Study Group (ISG). Many believe the bipartisan ISG report issued in December 2006 played a pivotal role in helping the Bush Administration re-focus the mission in Iraq and that implementing new strategies, such as "the surge," helped turn the tide of the war effort.

Unfortunately, the Obama Administration repeatedly refused to establish what I call the Afghanistan-Pakistan Study Group, despite my success in ensuring there was funding in the FY 2012 Defense Appropriations bill to pay for the review. The Af/Pak Study Group would have to examine U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and clarified our mission, goals and objectives for success. Similar to the ISG, the group would have been tasked with conducting a forward-looking assessment of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and Pakistan, its impact on the surrounding region and its consequences for U.S. interests.

Our men and women in uniform have fought bravely and served with distinction in Afghanistan. Any shortcomings in our strategy or overall vision for success are not their burden to bear. As too often happens, they have found themselves at the mercy of the latest political winds blowing through Washington. I am disappointed the president appears to have allowed these political winds to drive the war strategy.

Source