The Critical Choice in Iraq
A Diplomatic Surge and a Strategic Redeployment or Military Escalation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – John Podesta and the Center for American Progress today released the enclosed memorandum which provides a strategy forward for Iraq and the Middle East. The memo was sent by John Podesta and policy experts to Congress as a recommendation for future Iraq policy.
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To: The Incoming 110th Congress
From: John Podesta, Lawrence Korb, and Brian Katulis
Center for American Progress
Re: The Critical Choice in Iraq: A Diplomatic Surge and a Strategic
Redeployment or Military Escalation
Date: December 27, 2006
Executive Summary
As 2006 draws to a close, the United States faces a critical choice: a new strategy for regaining stability and making progress in the Middle East, or a military escalation in
Iraq. President Bush sets the national security agenda, but the incoming 110th Congress will play a key role in helping shape the country’s deliberations over this critical choice. To us, the choices are clear:
• Exercise the Proper Constitutional Role of Congress in Guiding Iraq Policy. When Congress reconvenes, the Bush administration will submit a supplemental funding request to the defense budget of at least $100 billion to fund the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of FY 2007. Although the new Congress should not refuse to provide the funds that the troops already in Iraq and Afghanistan need, it can place an amendment on the supplemental funding bill that states that if the administration wants to increase the number of troops in Iraq above 150,000, it must provide a plan for their purpose and require an up or down vote on exceeding that number. In addition, it can place limits on the mobilization of Guard and Reserve forces, and vote on key aspects of U.S. funding, including U.S. taxpayer money that is going to provide weapons and training to Iraqi security forces. At minimum, Congress should increase its oversight and demand a full-blown, detailed plan from the Bush administration on how it is preparing to stabilize Iraq and address the growing problems in the Middle East.