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Dear Friend,

President Obama will soon decide whether to send more troops to Afghanistan.

It's time he said no — no more troops to Afghanistan.  It's time he said yes to more civilian-led development there.

I'm asking you to e-mail the president today. Tell him not to send more troops. Urge him to work toward the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces and the use of peaceful alternatives.

The Afghan people want an end to civilian deaths — whether they're caused by foreign forces or by the Taliban. They know economic opportunities will give people alternatives to joining armed militias.

More importantly, they want their own government, free of corruption — a government that is responsive to their needs and not dependent on bolstering by outside forces.

The current debate on Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., ignores the desires of the Afghan people. Some policymakers want additional troops in Afghanistan to apply a counterinsurgency doctrine. Others want to draw down troops in Afghanistan, but use remotely controlled aircraft and special forces to implement a counterterrorism strategy focused on Pakistan.

Question: If everybody, including the military planners, agrees there are no military solutions to the war in Afghanistan, why are all the options military?

Tell President Obama and his security council today not to send additional troops to Afghanistan. 

Ask him to send a clear message that the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan will not be permanent and that the United States intends a full withdrawal of all troops and bases.  Ask him to focus U.S. and international investment in Afghanistan support for Afghan-led efforts for good governance, strengthening civilian institutions, and holistic political reconciliation, rather than failed tools of military intervention.

A few days ago, we e-mailed the president our congratulations on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Now let's urge him to put peace into practice.

Please take the time to make your voice heard.

Peace,




Laurie Creasy,
American Friends Service Committee