For the first time since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 there are now more U.S. troops in Afghanistan (94,000) than Iraq (92,000). The graph is from the Congressional Research Service document 'Boots on the Ground Reports to Congress'. Since the beginning of the Obama Administration in January 2009, the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan has increased three-fold.
Last month I was part of a phone conference call with Afghan youth working in Bamiyan province to overcome violence in their community. I was not surprised they said it was lonely and difficult work. But I was surprised by the questions they asked, and how similar they were to the questions Iraqis have asked over the years. Why do Christians (Americans) hate us? How come nobody talks about the deaths of Afghan’s? How could Bible verses appear on bombs that were dropped in Afghanistan?
They said they were afraid that what happened in Iraq will happen to them.
Additional Resources
Don’t Extend U.S. troop withdrawal deadline
Raed Jarrar | The Progressive | 25 May 2010
Internal Peacebuilding to Build True Security
AFSC | Alternatives to War Series | Summer 2009
Take Action
Memorial Day and Milestones
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