Real Solutions in Iraq

Last week, I wrote about my four-point plan for Afghanistan, where I worked in 2005 and 2007 to develop recommended strategies for defeating the resurgent Taliban. This week, I turn to Iraq where thousands of our troops put their lives on the line while politicians back in Washington offer no strategy for victory.

From the fifth district alone, more than 1,000 young men and women have joined the Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard between 2004 and 2007. There is no duty more sacred for an elected official than ensuring our troops are provided with a strategy for victory, protected in battle, and supported as veterans.

Both parties have failed that sacred trust. This Administration didn't do its intelligence homework, provide a credible strategy for victory, or call for the sacrifices from the American people necessary to sustain the effort. The Republicans stuck with a disastrous status quo, and the Democrats offered a disastrous alternative. While both sides claim to listen to the Generals, the military leaders' calls for a political solution were drowned out by political games about troop levels and funding. Our military has done its part, but we must get the politics right so we can leave Iraq stable and secure.

Since 2006, I have worked with other national security consultants to promote a new plan for Iraq that challenged both parties. The diagnosis was that the power sharing arrangement backed by the Bush Administration had empowered the Iraqi elements most closely aligned with Iran while leading key Sunni factions to disengage and align with the foreign Al-qaeda factions that had entered Iraq after the war. Real solutions require driving a wedge between both of these toxic alliances.

Our three-part plan involves negotiating a new power-sharing arrangement with all non-foreign factions in Iraq; empowering a joint-mediation team trusted by all sides; and pledging but not implementing full withdrawal as leverage to get parties back to the table.

We can't afford short-cut solutions in Iraq. If we don't leave the region stable, we will suffer the consequences later, but we cannot continue to carry the financial or military burden alone. The next President must reengage other nations in this war. He must also inspire our best and brightest young people to fill the ranks of our military, diplomatic and intelligence community.

Our support for troops must continue when they come home. I was an ardent and early supporter of Sen. Webb's 21st Century GI Bill to ensure educational opportunities that our veterans deserve. I will fight for a new VA Hospital in Southside with a focus on mental health services.

The threat of global terrorism in the world is very real. Our military needs the best resources and equipment, but also the right political strategy and intelligence. If I'm blessed to get to Congress, I pledge to work with Democrats and Republicans to do what is right, not what is simple to keep our nation safe.

Tom Perriello is the Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia's Fifth District. You can find out more about his campaign at www.PerrielloForCongress.com or by visiting one of our eight district offices in: Appomattox, Bedford, Charlottesville, Danville, Farmville, Martinsville, Moneta, and South Hill.