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Last Updated on February 11, 2015.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2015
Contact:
Stephen Miles, Advocacy Director
(504) 289-3594, stephen@winwithoutwar.org
Washington, DC- The Win Without War coalition released the following statement by Advocacy Director, Stephen Miles, in response to President Obama’s proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force, submitted to Congress on February 11, 2015.
We strongly urge Congress to reject the pursuit of a military solution to a conflict that does not have one. American bombs have been falling on the Middle East for decades and they have only served to destabilize the region and prolong conflicts. We must recognize that no Congressional action will suddenly end the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Instead we should redouble our efforts to find a truly comprehensive solution to these challenges that has a chance of finally bring peace – not more war – to the long-suffering people of this region.
It is good that the President is finally asking Congress to decide whether or not to authorize more war. It is past time for Congress to meet its responsibility and have this debate. However, it is imperative that Congress consider what war has already cost our nation: more than 6,800 of our service men and women killed, tens of thousands more wounded, and trillions of dollars wasted. The U.S. is no more secure, nor is the region any more stable, as a result.
We all share in the desire to combat terrorism, protect America, and bring peace to the Middle East. But the idea that more of the same is going to produce a different result is the definition of insanity. It is time that we commit ourselves to the hard work of creating the conditions for peace instead of authorizing endless war.

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Win Without War is a coalition of national organizations with diverse constituencies originally founded in opposition to the Iraq War. The coalition remains active in opposition to the continued U.S. war in Afghanistan, the dangerous rush to war with Iran, and the underlying national security strategy on which these conflicts are based.  We seek a fundamentally new approach to meet the national security challenges of the United States that is consistent with our nation’s highest values.

For more information visit www.winwithoutwar.org

February 11, 2015