Refocusing our National Security Strategy Fighting Al Queda and Terrorist Networks Our military has performed heroically in Iraq, but as long as 130,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq indefinitely, that country will remain what we have helped made it -- a crucible for the recruitment and development of terrorists determined to fight so-called American “occupiers.” And as long as we are devoting so many of our resources to Iraq, we will be unable to comprehensively combat the global terrorist networks that threaten us today, in so many countries around the world. It is well known, and well documented, that some of our efforts in Afghanistan are hurt by the diversion of resources to Iraq, but our efforts in many other countries are suffering as well. - Senator Russ Feingold, At the Center for Strategic and International Studies “Beyond Iraq: Refocusing Our National Security Strategy,” May 19, 2006 The number one national security goal of the United States must be to combat the global terrorist networks that attacked and continue to threaten our country. Al Qaeda is active in 60 countries around the world, including East Africa and Southeast Asia, and continues to recruit, train and develop new strategies to inflict harm on the United States.  There are pressing priorities and potential threats to our security in countries other than Iraq. For example, in June 2006, an Al Qaeda operative, Hassan Dahir Aweys, who is on the State Department’s terrorist list, took over as the head of the government in Somalia.  A successful national security strategy and response to the terrorist threat requires more than a military component -- it also requires other domestic and international initiatives. These include: Domestic Programs that: Strengthen port and border security, Improve coordinated first responder services. International Programs that: Strengthen international institutions and bilateral partnerships around the world, Maintain strong multilateral support for our international anti-terrorism efforts, Improve our private and public diplomacy initiatives to convey the quality of our national values and the appeal of our ideals, Support responsible international arms control agreements to control “loose nukes” and other weapons proliferation, Strengthen the rule of law globally, Pursue anti-corruption initiatives to address bribery and money laundering schemes that can finance international crime, Uphold and promote respect for human rights, Anticipate and counter emerging terrorist tactics, such as the increased use and sophistication of improvised explosive devices, Address the root causes of alienation and disaffection in countries that can be breeding grounds for terrorists.   Iraq The worst thing we could possibly do is what Vice President Cheney and President Bush did, which was take us into an unnecessary war that had nothing to do with 9/11 on false pretenses. . . . The question is, do we just keep making the same mistake over and over again? Do we just stay in Iraq so that Cheney and Bush can say that, that they were right? That appears to be why we’re there. That appears to be the only logical reason to stay in a situation that is draining our military, that is hurting our recruiting, that is allowing Osama bin Laden to have us exactly where he wants us. - Senator Russ Feingold, ‘Meet the Press,’ June 25, 2006 The administration’s Iraq-centric policies – ill-conceived and poorly executed -- drain America’s military and intelligence capabilities.  They undermine our ability to develop and implement a comprehensive global strategy to deal with the most real security challenges we face and to combat Al Qaeda and related networks in areas where the threat of terrorism is greater. Iraq was not even on the State Department’s list of 45 countries where Al Qaeda was operating a month after 9/11. Iraq was not involved in the 9/11 attacks.  The “stay the course” rhetoric for Iraq harms our effort to fight global terrorism by providing terrorists around the world with: a recruiting pitch because of our seemingly unending presence there, international networking opportunities, unity with Iraqi nationalists, on-the-job terrorist training in urban combat against U.S. forces. We must set a timeline to redeploy our troops out of Iraq to enable us to devote more resources to face our most pressing security priorities and fight global terrorist networks that threaten the U.S.   We successfully set timetables for the transfer of sovereignty and for Iraqi elections.  Having a timetable for the withdrawal of troops is no different. A majority of the American and Iraqi people, Iraqi government leaders and many of our military leaders support redeployment by July 2007. Flexibility is necessary to ensure stability but a redeployment plan must be implemented now. The quality of our policies and the material support we give our troops will determine the effectiveness of their response to terrorism and other conflicts Our brave servicemen and women won a resounding victory in the initial military operations in Iraq, and their task there is largely over.  We owe our troops a clear and achievable mission, sound strategic planning, the best equipment, and a reasonable timeframe in which to finish their part of the job. Our support of our troops, who sacrifice so much, must not end when their service is over.  We must ensure access to and availability of quality health care and transition services to all our veterans. Protecting Freedom and the Rule of Law [W]e should appeal to basic American values in the post-9/11 era by saying that we will stand up to this administration's mistakes in strategy in the fight against terrorism; and that we will stand up to this administration's unnecessary assault on the rule of law, in the guise of the fight against terrorism.  - Senator Russ Feingold, at the National Press Club, May 8, 2006 We must not sacrifice our fundamental democratic ideals and our Constitutional rights and principles at home as we fight terrorism. We ask our military to defend these rights and principles with their lives. If we disregard these fundamental rights, we dishonor their commitments and allow the very outcomes sought by terrorists – a destruction of our unique system of government and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.