E-News: Ending the War in Iraq

Posted on 12/19/2011 @ 11:00 AM

When you subscribe to our e-newsletter , you'll get weekly updates about what's happening in Washington and around the country to change federal policy.

E-News: Ending the War in Iraq

December 20, 2011

Dear Friend,

Like you, it's with mixed emotions that I've watched the coverage of the end of the war in Iraq--relief that U.S. military troops are coming home and sorrow that this misguided venture of a costly and divisive war ever happened. Yet from my own trip to northern Iraq earlier this year, I know that the end of U.S. military involvement cannot be the end of our country's commitment to supporting the people of Iraq as the seek to build a society based on principles of human rights, civil liberties and economic opportunity.

Congress is set to end this year with a mixed record of action on the issues we care about. Despite the disappointments, we saw progress just last week as the Senate went on record in favor of a responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan. Congress also approved sustained funding for programs that promote the peaceful resolution and prevention of deadly conflict and increased funding for nuclear non-proliferation.

Thank you for your hard work this year to lobby Congress on these and other issues.

Diane Randall
Executive Secretary

Iraq: The Troops Come Home

As Bridget Moix reflects, the U.S. military involvement in Iraq finally came to an end in part because of a massive public outcry, organized protest and strategic lobbying from people like you. But as the last U.S. military base in Iraq shuts down, Matt Southworth reminds us that our country needs to reflect on the lessons we can learn from this war of choice and to recommit ourselves to help both the people of Iraq and the many veterans and others who are affected by this war both in Iraq and the United States.

Iran: House Votes against Diplomacy

Last week, the House voted 410-11 in support of a bill that would outlaw any contact between U.S. government employees and certain Iranian officials. However, even the bill's most prominent supporters acknowledged that grassroots opposition that FCNL helped lead made an impact on the debate. Read more of Kate Gould's analysis of the vote and what it means for the prospects of further escalating conflict with Iran.

Good News for Peacefully Preventing Deadly Conflict

Just a few weeks ago, it seemed that U.S. investment in diplomacy, development and international cooperation would face devastating cuts in the 2012 budget. Thanks in part to your lobbying, funding for the Complex Crises Fund, Civilian Response Corps, and U.S. dues to the United Nations avoided these significant cuts in a funding bill that Congress passed this month. We remain concerned that the way that Congress classified the money could limit how it is used and that the U.S. could be back in arrears with the United Nations next year, however, so stay tuned for more action on these issues in 2012.

Good News for Safeguarding Nuclear Materials

Even in these years of budget cutbacks, members of Congress understood the arguments made by FCNL's Quaker Nuclear Disarmament program and many others that it would be a mistake to shortchange funding for efforts to secure stockpiles of nuclear materials. FCNL's David Culp reports that funding for nonproliferation programs has tripled over the past 10 years.

Military Authorization: Mostly Ugly

FCNL strongly opposed the National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress last week, which provides authorization for military spending for the next year. In addition to allowing for more spending on the military, this legislation provides dangerous new authority for military detention, increases Pentagon involvement in security assistance to other countries, and adds dangerous provisions that will increase tension between the U.S. and Iran. Read more about what was in this bill.

Correction: The original email that was sent out stated that the FCNL initiative to create a bipartisan commission to study U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan was part of the military authorization bill. It was in fact part of the omnibus appropriations bill. We apologize for the error.

Greetings from Kenya! FCNL's Cassidy Regan Checks In

"After months of international conference calls, research, and Washington-based advocacy, I'm beyond grateful to have the opportunity to spend time in the beautiful country about which I've been lucky enough to learn," reports Cassidy Regan, who has been in Kenya for the past few weeks working with Friends groups on peace and reconciliation efforts in a country that has been marked by electoral violence and by successful efforts to prevent deadly conflict. Read more about her "enlightening and empowering" experiences working on reconciliation in Kenya, and check out FCNL's new policy brief, "Kenya's National Elections: Violence Renewed or Crisis Prevented?"

Save the Date: Talk Budget with Legislative Director Ruth Flower

Although Pentagon spending increased again this year, one of the big successes of this year is that Congress is on track to cut nearly $1 trillion from the Pentagon budget. Find out about this proposed cut and how you can help make sure Congress follows through with it. Join FCNL's Legislative Director Ruth Flower for a telephone briefing on January 12, 2012 at 8:00 pm EST. Call 800-802-4328 to join on January 12. Find out more.

War is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Santa Claus!

Ho Ho Ho! Santa Claus says that War Is Not the Answer. Thanks to General Committee member Lance Billingsley for the photo!

Order your own War Is Not the Answer sign and see where this movement is showing up across the country. Find out how to submit your photo.