There is no question that the war in Iraq has been difficult. All Americans are frustrated [that] we haven’t seen more success more quickly. But war is never easy and almost never goes according to plan. Al Qaeda and their supporters in the region have been steadfast in their efforts to slow us down and frustrate our efforts to succeed.
But because they cannot defeat Americans on the battlefield, Al Qaeda and terrorist-sympathizers worldwide are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait.
It is fitting that yesterday [Feb. 12] was President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Not since the dark days of the Civil War has our homeland been a battlefield.
Lincoln’s leadership preserved the Union through a turbulent age that threatened to undo the entire American experiment. His belief in the promise of the United States–a promise enshrined in the Declaration of Independence that stated for the first time in history that all men are created equal–drove him to pursue victory. Surrounded by personal and political rivals, Lincoln could have given up. He could have recalled Union forces and sent them all home. But he didn’t. We need a similar commitment to victory today.
The battle in Iraq is about more than what happens there. This is one part of a larger fight–a global fight–against radical Islamic terrorists who have waged war on the United States and our allies.
This is not a question of fighting for land, for treasure, or for glory–we are fighting to rid the world of a radical and dangerous ideology. We are fighting to defend all that is sacred to our way of life. We are fighting to build a safer and more secure America–one where families can raise their children without the fear of terrorist attacks.
Lincoln famously said in 1858 that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe, as Lincoln did then, that we must choose sides on a critical issue. Then, it was whether we would abolish the evil institution of slavery. Today, it is whether we will defeat the ideology that drives radical Islamic terrorism. Will we do what it takes to stand and fight for the future of our kids and theirs? Will we commit to defending the freedoms and liberties we cherish? Or will we retreat and leave the fight for another generation?
These are questions with historic implications, and they will be answered this week.
Many of my friends across the aisle think this is exactly what we should do–give up and leave. This non-binding resolution is their first step toward abandoning Iraq by cutting off funding for America’s troops in harm’s way.
We know what Al Qaeda thinks when America retreats from the battlefield. They think we can’t stomach a fight. This is why they haven’t been afraid to strike us whenever they’ve had the opportunity. America slept through the first 22 years of this war:
– It began with the Iran hostage-taking in 1979;
– Then, on Oct. 23, 1983, the suicide attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut killed 241 American servicemen and injured 60 others;
– On Feb. 26, 1993, the first World Trade Center bombing killed six people and injured more than 1,000;
– On June 25, 1996, the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia killed 20 people and injured 372;
– On June 7, 1998, the Kenya embassy bombing killed 213 people and injured 5,000;
– on June 7, 1998, the Tanzania embassy bombing killed 11 people and injured 68;
– On Oct. 12, 2000, the USS Cole bombing killed 17 people and injured 39 people.
We all know what happened on Sept. 11, 2001: 3,000 people died.
Do we really believe that if we pack up now–if we abandon Iraq and leave the country in chaos–that our enemies will lay down their arms and leave us alone?
For too long, world leaders responded to terrorism by retreating and hoping for the best. In a post-Sept. 11 world, this is no longer an option. God forgive us that it took such a loss of life to open our eyes, but our eyes are opened. We are engaged in a global war now–a war for our very way of life.
We didn’t start this war–they did. We now have a duty to finish it, and to win.
The non-binding resolution before us today criticizes the new strategy for succeeding in Iraq being implemented by Gen. David Petraeus. It “disapproves” of the strategy before it has even had the chance to succeed or fail.
The general’s goal is to stabilize the Iraqi democracy, deny terrorists a safe haven and ensure stability in the region. It is a prudent strategy that puts the performance of the Iraqi government front and center. I can’t guarantee you that that this plan will work. I hope it does, and Republicans have put forward complementary bills aimed at helping it succeed.
But I can guarantee you this: If we cut off funding for our troops and abandon Iraq, as many supporters of this non-binding resolution want to do, the consequences of our failure will be catastrophic.
Last year, Osama bin Laden issued this warning to the United States . He said: “I would like to tell you that the war is for you or for us to win. If we win it, it means your defeat and disgrace forever …”
Think about this for a moment. Al Qaeda knows the stakes and has issued a challenge. Now tell me, what message does it send that we are afraid to meet that challenge? What message are we sending to North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and other enemies of freedom around the world?
– If we abandon Iraq, regional stability will be jeopardized. Iraq will become a fertile breeding ground for radical Islamic terrorists. And without a central government or other stabilizing force, Iraq’s neighboring countries will be compelled to enter Iraq to protect their interests. The consequences will be devastating and could lead to a regional war.
– If we abandon Iraq, the instability–coupled with the damning image of another American retreat–will embolden Iran and Islamic militants and endanger Israel. Iran’s leaders and terrorists groups have made clear their intentions to “wipe Israel off the map.” We would be leaving a staunch ally in the Middle East with nothing but chaos and instability separating them from their greatest enemy.
– If we abandon Iraq, those who seek weapons of mass destruction will know they have nothing more to fear from a fearful America. Neither Al Qaeda, North Korea nor Iran have given up their quest for weapons of mass destruction. If they know they are free to pursue these weapons–secure in the knowledge that America doesn’t have the stomach to stop them–we will be leaving our children a vastly more dangerous world. During the Cold War we took some small comfort in the idea of mutually assured destruction—-that the Soviet Union wouldn’t attack us because we could retaliate with equal devastation. There is no such comfort in a world where terrorist gangs roam free.
It is the nature of our enemy to fight us wherever and whenever they can. Whether in Asia, Africa or elsewhere, Al Qaeda has supporters and sympathizers throughout the world. They have the ability to strike anywhere at any time with lethal force across the globe. Right now we’re fighting them in Iraq. This battle is the most visible part of a global war–but it just one part. If we leave, they will follow us home. It’s that simple. We cannot negotiate with them. We cannot reason with them. Our only option is to defeat them.
It is important for this body to debate important issues facing our country. Last summer the House held an extended debate on the war in Iraq and the global war on terror. We worked closely with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to draft the language of that resolution and we had, I believe, a productive debate. But what we’re dealing with today isn’t even a resolution to debate the war itself–it is a non-binding resolution attacking a single strategy in the prosecution of the larger war.
Non-binding means non-leadership. It is non-accountability. And it is not the right message to the troops. This is a political charade, lacking both the seriousness and gravity of the issue it is meant to address.
The question before us today isn’t actually in this resolution. It is more fundamental. The question is: Do we have the resolve that will be necessary to defeat our terrorist enemies? Will we stand and fight for the future of our kids and theirs? As President Eisenhower once said: “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”
Does Congress have the fortitude to do what needs to be done? Our soldiers do. They are brave. They are committed. And they can win this fight we’ve asked them to wage. Will we support them?
The world is watching. How will we respond?
