Issues of war and peace should not be a partisan game. When Trump calls for pulling US troops out of Syria and Afghanistan, are Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer simply upset about the process (and we agree, the process was terrible), or really upset because it’s being done by Donald Trump? As much as we might dislike the President (and for many of us, that’s quite a lot), we shouldn’t object to decisions that move us out of conflicts we should have never been involved in.
Nancy Pelosi called the withdrawal from Syria “a decision that is dangerous.” But the status quo was really dangerous, as it threatened to drag us into a confrontation with Russia, Iran or even Turkey. The US withdrawal from Syria eases those tensions. Trump’s order to pull out 7,000 of the 14,000 US troops from Afghanistan is also positive.
Send a message to Democratic leaders Pelosi and Schumer that you support this de-escalation and that instead of criticizing the withdrawal, you want the Democrats to come up with a bold peace plan that emphasizes diplomacy, not endless war.
It’s not just troops. Since the ‘war on terror’ began, the US and its allies have dropped a staggering 291,880 bombs and missiles on other countries. We need Democratic leaders to propose a broad, visionary peace plan that includes troop withdrawal, an end to airstrikes, re-entry into the Iran nuclear deal, and a cut-off of weapons supplies to repressive regimes such as Saudi Arabia.
Like many of Trump’s critics, we, too, are concerned about the Kurds in Syria, who are at high risk of an attack by Turkey. The US should be actively involved, including through the United Nations, in thwarting an attack and promoting negotiations. And the US must take responsibility for rebuilding and assistance to both the Syrian and Afghan people, including the refugees.
Tell Democrat leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, that resistance to Trump should not equate to promoting war. Tell them to support Trump’s call to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan, and to propose an even broader plan to demilitarize our foreign policy.
We need Congress to fight against Trump’s $5 billion demand to fund his wall. We need them to fight his cozy relationship, and millions in weapons sales, to Saudi Arabia. We need them to fight his Muslim ban, cuts to food stamps, attacks on health care, and so much more. But when Trump makes a huge step in the right direction (even if it might be for the wrong reasons), we should support him.
Democratic leaders should not resort to fear-mongering and should instead put forth a thoughtful and comprehensive peace plan of their own. While you wouldn’t know it from listening to the media, polls show that the public is fed up with US overseas wars. Bring the troops home. Stop the bombing. Enough!
Towards peace,
Medea and the entire CODEPINK team: Ann, Ariel, Carley, Caroline, Jodie, Katie, Kelly, Kirsten, Lily, Mark, Maya, Nancy, Paki, Ryan, Tighe and Ursula
P.S. Check out the webinar we did today with me and Middle East expert Phyllis Bennis. Phyllis and I discussed Syria, Afghanistan, General Mattis’s resignation, and more. Watch here.
Medea Benjamin is the founder of CODEPINK and Global Exchange and the author of nine books, including the recently released Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection. Her new book isInside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic.
Syria’s Kurds who will no doupt be bombed into oblivion by syria and turkey would disagree that this will bring about peace. Same people who did all the fighting against ISIS.
The Kurds need to stand on there own and stop relying on imperial powers to save them. Turkey is genocidal but Assad’s secular regime has shown a willingness to work with the Kurds. This is Rojava’s greatest (and perhaps only) hope, to rely on cooperation with their neighbors rather than the largess of colonialists. Otherwise, their slaughter will only be a matter of when, rather than if, whether we pull out tomorrow or a century from now. There remains no moral excuse for illegal occupation. We need to get out and the Kurds need to get a grip.
The Kurds shouldn’t have to. They are the world’s largest ethnic group with no nation. They have a right to self rule! Funny how you western hypocrites only care about such things when it’s the Palestinians doing it.
“Funny how you western hypocrites only care about such things when it’s the Palestinians doing it.”
I have not seen any proposal, by either myself or any other of us “western hypocrites”, for the US to militarily occupy Israel or Palestine to prevent the slaughter there. You’re way off base. Comrade is correct about this, occupying foreign societies just invites trouble and bloodshed. If Turkey is intent on slaughtering Syrian Kurds, how is a US military presence there going to change the final outcome? How long an occupation is called for? Our military in foreign lands can only destabilize those countries.
I agree with you but how is any of that America’s responsibility? Even if you assume that it is, given our history f**king them over, how will our illegal occupation benefit their autonomy. If anything, it only serves to deligitimize it. I’ve supported Rojava from the start. Most people on this page are tired of hearing me bitch about it. But only the Kurdish people can earn their independence, we can’t earn it for them. Read Frantz Fanon. Self determination can’t be given like a gift, it has to be earned. America should cut ties with Erdogan and work on a diplomatic solution for Rojava but we can’t give them their freedom. They have to earn that themselves. And I believe they will.
Syria has already backstabbed the Kurds and Syria’s biggest ally is now in bed with Turkey. You do the math.
The Kurds and the Syrians have both taken turns screwing each other for ages but they have both been at their best when they’ve set aside their differences and worked together.
None of our business. If you feel so strongly about it why dont you go over there and fight with them.
Chuck and Nancy will never call for US pullout from Syria, because Israel wants permanent US presence in the ME. Why use your own sons and daughters in war when you can use US troops, and US money? And Big Money owns our Congress, MSM, and Hollywood, and I wish it stopped there. It doesn’t. Trump’s family is largely Israeli now. Bibi himself has said Israelis control US Congress, MSM, and Hollyweed. If a US Jew says the same thing, he/she is branded a self-hating Jew. If a non-Jew anywhere in the world criticizes Israel or Zionism, such person is labeled anti-Semitic and slated for destruction by the various Z intelligence agencies, lobbyists and Big Dog MSM Z outlets.
George Washington and other Founding Fathers warned against this kind of “special relationship”, and foreign entanglements.
Why is it OK for Israel to have badass walls, but US can’t have them? Ask Chuck and Nancy.