Iraq

The war in Iraq has cost America and Nebraska dearly. As of July 2008, more than 4,100 Americans had lost their lives during the war in Iraq and more than 30,000 have been wounded. For the American taxpayers, the Iraq war is projected to cost approximately $3 trillion dollars. Scott Kleeb believes that we must bring about a responsible end to the war - one that would bring our troops home while ensuring that Iraq and the rest of the region not spiral into chaos. To do this, Scott firmly believes we must recommit to using a multilateral diplomatic approach.

RESPONSIBLY END THE WAR IN IRAQ

More than 40 Nebraskans have lost their lives in the war in Iraq while another 200 have been wounded. And Nebraskan taxpayers are already carrying a $2.7 billion share of the growing debt from the war. That’s why Scott Kleeb believes it’s time to bring about a responsible end to the war in Iraq.

Recommit to diplomacy. General Petraeus has said, “There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq.” Scott Kleeb agrees and is committed to reengaging the international community through to find a political solution in Iraq.
Set meaningful political, diplomatic, and economic benchmarks.

COMPEL IRAQ TO LEAD

Washington cannot be expected to micromanage Iraq’s future. To end the war in Iraq, Scott Kleeb believes that the Iraqi government must be compelled to take charge of its own future. With a projected budget surplus of up to $79 billion, Iraq has the resources to do just that. Scott believes we must not only implement the bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommendations, but also:

Draw down U.S. troops. While Scott Kleeb has consistently rejected timetables for withdrawal in Iraq, he strongly believes that with the recommendations of our military leaders we must begin to draw down our military presence in Iraq.

No permanent military bases. A prolonged presence in Iraq does not serve our national security, nor does it accomplish our top priority of destroying al-Qaeda terrorist cells. Scott Kleeb believes we must make it clear that we will not build permanent bases in Iraq and instead begin a phased redeployment so we can more effectively target al-Qaeda and global terrorism.

Compel Iraq to invest in its own future. By year’s end, Iraq could see a cumulative projected budget surplus of up to $79 billion. Further, history has shown us that the principles of democracy only take root when a society is invested in its development. That’s why Scott Kleeb believes the time has come for the Iraqi government to invest in the long-term stability and growth of the country.

REFOCUS WAR ON TERROR

The Bush Administration’s policy in Iraq - which employed a unilateral approach that ended up diverting limited resources away from pursuing al-Qaeda terrorists - has left our country more isolated and less secure. Scott Kleeb believes it is critical to our national security that we refocus the war on terror to combat the real threats against this country. That focus begins on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

Focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Scott Kleeb believes the United States must shift its focus from Iraq to recommit to the war in Afghanistan and the pursuit of al-Qaeda terrorists hiding in places like Pakistan.

Bring Osama bin Laden to justice. Washington has taken its sights - and critical resources - off capturing Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks that killed thousands of innocent Americans. Scott Kleeb believes that investing in our intelligence community and refocusing our efforts in areas such as Afghanistan, which are critical components to ensuring homeland security.

SUPPORT THE IRAQI PEOPLE

While Scott Kleeb knows that it’s time to draw down our troops and limit our financial commitment in Iraq, he also knows that we have an obligation to ensure that the country doesn’t fall prey to hostile nations or rogue agents. That’s why Scott believes we must address:

The humanitarian crisis. With more than two million refugees and another two million internally-displaced people, the humanitarian crisis in Iraq ranks among the worst in the world. Because of the national security concerns it presents, Scott Kleeb understands that we must help those in need.

Growing unemployment and broken infrastructure. Scott Kleeb firmly believes that the time has come for the Iraqi government to commit to its long-term stability by investing in its country and its people. That’s why Scott will encourage the Iraqi government to find ways to create jobs for the more than 20 percent of unemployed citizens by advocating that the government do more to invest in its infrastructure.