FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2015
Contact: David Swanson, Executive Director, info@worldbeyondwar.org
STATEMENT ON REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE (AUMF) – REJECT ENDLESS, WORLDWIDE WAR
We strongly reject President Obama’s request for the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) of the U.S.-led war on ISIS. We urge Congress to oppose the request for a war which is endless, not the last resort, illegal by national and international standards, geographically unlimited, and unwinnable. The resultant costs of endless wars are too high and will not lead to the expected outcome. We know that the use of military force in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen has been a failure and has increased violent extremism and recruited volunteers for Al Qaeda and ISIS. There is no reason to believe that further military action will have any different result.
We urge Congress to engage in real debate about the costs and benefits of war. Nonviolent alternatives to war are abundant, morally superior, and strategically much more effective.
There are many constructive nonviolent alternatives which should not be mistaken for inaction. Immediate strong steps are: arms embargo to all warring parties, support of Syrian and Iraqi civil society, pursue meaningful diplomacy, economic sanctions on ISIS and supporters and humanitarian intervention. Long-term strong steps are: withdrawal of US troops, end oil imports from the region, dissolve terrorism at its roots.
The request for AUMF presents an opportunity to move beyond just challenging another war, to challenging the entire institution of war which is based on many myths. Our messages to all parties is: war has no justification and no benefit, now or ever. It is immoral, makes us less safe, threatens our environment, erodes liberties, and impoverishes us.
Call for action:
- Urge your representatives to reject war – their vote will determine your next vote.
- Write letters to the editor
- Add your voice of rejecting the new AUMF to rejecting all wars
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World Beyond War is helping build a global nonviolent movement to end war and establish a just and sustainable peace. For more information visit www.worldbeyondwar.org
