OUR OBJECTIVES

The preemptive war in Iraq was based on fabricated intelligence and was poorly planned. Today, amid continuing mismanagement, our troops are fighting an ill defined mission with no strategy to bring them home. Our current lack of an exit strategy is costing us dearly in terms of lives, financial cost, and security at home. We must change the course and start bringing our troops home in a safe and responsible manner.

To repair the current situation and prevent future policy errors, Iraq Veterans for Progress supports the following positions:

Build no permanent bases in Iraq.
Declare that it is the policy of the United States not to enter into any base agreement with the Government of Iraq that would lead to a permanent United States military presence in Iraq.

Replace Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Accountability is an important factor in the military and this is no different. The poor policy decisions made by Donald Rumsfeld have led to many of the failures we now face in Iraq. Appointing a new Secretary of Defense is critical to making progress. √ SUCCESS!

Renounce the practice of preemptive war.
The war in Iraq was a preemptive war. This is not a sound foreign policy and is not in line with core American values.

Ensure veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Although our veterans have made many sacrifices, they are often forgotten upon returning home. The Department of Veterans Affairs should receive full funding and our veterans should receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Military intervention is only used as a last resort.
Service members declare an oath to defend country and constitution. We must honor our men and women in uniform by making every effort to arrive at a diplomatic solution when resolving conflicts.

Bring the troops home.
U.S. soldiers in Iraq are killed and wounded on a daily basis while there is no clearly defined mission or exit strategy. The time has come for our troops to come home. However, there are logisitical and security reasons that keep our troops from returning tomorrow. To ensure a responsible and orderly transfer of control to the Iraqis, a timetable should be established, U.S. troops should start drawing down now, and the remainder of U.S. forces should return as soon as possible.

Reparations for Iraq
The Iraqi people are suffering from the effects of living in a war zone. Their infrastructure and quality of life has badly deteriorated. After the occupation of Iraq has finished, the United States should help to rebuild Iraq’s economy and infrastructure.