Obama’s Vietnam? President Obama has announced his decision to send 17,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, on the grounds that ‘the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention’. Peace Action strongly opposes Obama’s recent announcement and urges people to immediately call on Obama to choose diplomacy, not escalation. More troops won’t solve our problems in Afghanistan. We have seen the disastrous consequences of heading into war without a plan in Iraq. We are still mourning American and Iraqi lives lost, and struggling to rehabilitate our economy while spending billions of dollars on war. Peace Action calls for the ‘rapid withdrawal’ of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and a new commitment to a negotiated diplomatic solution involving all regional players. Call Obama at 202/456-1111 The Obama Administration should: De-escalate troop levels in Afghanistan and to reject the idea that there is a military solution to the region’s problems; Immediately stop military activities that indiscriminately impact civilians such as air and drone strikes; Rapidly withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan; Commit to negotiated diplomatic talks involving all major regional players, including major international peace-keeping bodies; Address the real needs of Afghans, which include health-care, clean water, education, and security. Background Since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Al Qaeda has increased its attacks. Last year saw the most civilian deaths in Afghanistan since the U.S. invaded, and a new poll shows that only 18% of Afghans want more U.S. troops. Bombings of civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan are angering the populations in both countries and their governments, undermining the U.S.’s ability to create stability. We cannot simply intensify the Bush administration’s failed policy. Now is the time for us to press President Obama and Congress to find a better approach to Afghanistan. General David Patreaus has called Afghanistan the “graveyard of empires.” Sincerely, Kevin M. Martin Executive Director Peace Action