A strong military is essential to reclaiming control of core U.S. national security interests. Today, the U.S. urgently needs to rebuild and transform its military to deal with present and future threats and challenges. A transformed military would enable the U.S. to return to a strategy of engagement in the world, one that secures our global interests through leadership and diplomacy.
The Center for American Progress Action Fund hosts Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA), who will speak about Iraq and America’s engagement in the world. We must bring about a responsible end to the war in Iraq. How we end it is even more important for our troops’ safety, our own security, and that of the greater Middle East. We need a strategic approach that defines the “end” of the commitment which President Bush once said would not be open-ended and also secures U.S. interests in the region for the foreseeable future. The Democratic majority in Congress must define why and how such an approach is in our best interests. A stable situation in Iraq can be achieved only by a setting a date certain for withdrawal. When the consequences to our nation are as great as they are in the Middle East, Congress has a responsibility to define our return to leadership, diplomacy, and global engagement that is so desperately needed.