Here is a special update on the Iraq War. Look for my usual weekly update to arrive in a few days.

Tonight, the president will address the nation regarding a new strategy for the Iraq War. During his address, he is expected to make two main points as his justification for this strategy. First, things have not gone as well as expected because the current strategy is not working. Secondly, he will explain what the realities of failure in Iraq will mean and why we can’t afford them. I agree with both of these points and think most people in America and Congress do.

Strategic changes in the middle of military conflicts are not unprecedented and have been made in order to ensure success in many wars in our history. I believe the changes the president will propose tonight are being made with the right considerations in mind. It is based on recommendations by the military commanders on the ground. And even though the plan calls for more U.S. troops, there is a significant shift in responsibilities which will mean a more prominent role for the Iraqi troops. There is no guarantee that this strategy will work, and if it doesn’t we have to be willing to modify the strategy again to ensure victory because failure is not an option.

We have been warned that if we don’t succeed in Iraq it will become even more of a haven for terrorist than it currently is. Further warnings indicate that a destabilized Iraq without assistance from the U.S. could lead to ethnic warfare and genocide on a scale larger than that of the on going situation in the Sudan. I know this issue has greatly divided our country, but I hope we can at least unify to ensure the right decisions are made now and we don’t leave Iraq in such a state.

I remain respectfully,

Congressman John Campbell