Prevent War: The Hill Stalls and Hoh Resigns
Prevent War: The Hill Stalls and Hoh Resigns
I have observed that the bulk of the insurgency fights not for the white banner of the Taliban, but rather against the presence of foreign soldiers and taxes imposed by an unrepresentative government in Kabul.-Former Foreign Service Officer Matthew Hoh
Hill Update:
With health care legislation making its way to a vote and seven appropriations bills still pending, Congress has passed a continuing resolution to keep the government running through December 18. So, what happened to all those bills with provisions for helping prevent war?
The State/Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which funds programs for diplomacy, development, and international cooperation, passed the House in July. The Senate Appropriations Committee then marked up its version of the bill. This bill will likely become part of a "minibus" appropriations bill and will not be voted on individually on the Senate floor. However, House and Senate conferees are meeting to work out changes in the two versions of the bill. FCNL is leading a lobbying effort for inclusion of the Senate's proposed $100 million Emergency Crises Fund in the final bill.
A Senate companion to H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which passed the House in June, remains in limbo. With little time on the Senate calendar left, a bill is not expected to be introduced before the end of the year. Still, we're holding out hope for 2010 and continuing to lobby for a Senate bill with similar provisions as the House legislation.
Foreign Aid reform and rewriting of the outdated Foreign Assistance Act has progressed in baby steps and will need a big push in 2010. House and Senate members both have an appetite for creating a more coherent and effective approach to U.S. foreign assistance, but the busy congressional schedule coupled with a desire to wait and see the outcome of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review continues to hold up legislative action. FCNL is providing input to key staff for the proposed Title II of the bill, "Advancing Peace and Mitigating Conflict."
Foreign Service Officer Resigns Over U.S. War in Afghanistan:
Matthew Hoh, a Foreign Service Officer in Afghanistan and former marine, recently resigned his post in protest over the U.S. war in Afghanistan. His resignation has caused a stir within the administration and he has been interviewed extensively by media outlets regarding his decision. Hoh has proven to be an effective spokesperson for the myriad of complications in Afghanistan, often voicing concerns FCNL has also raised. His experiences and straightforward rhetoric have caught the attention of many. Read Matthew Hoh's resignation letter and a Washington Post blog exchange offering dialogue between Hoh and others.
More Resources:
"The Real State-Defense Turf War Begins" by Josh Rogin
"Climate Change Will Devastate Africa, top UK Scientist Warns" by John Vidal
More FCNL Resources:
FCNL's Annual Meeting is just around the corner and all staff are preparing for those exciting four days. If you are attending Annual Meeting, be sure to stop by the Peaceful Prevention of Deadly Conflict table-it will be fun and interactive! For information on Annual Meeting, click here.