Us. Rep. Seth Moulton. Item File Photo
By Thomas Grillo
In his continuing opposition to the Obama administration’s Iraq policy, U.S. Rep Seth Moulton is against the president’s latest move to deploy 600 American troops to Iraq.
“We cannot, in good conscience, continue to send young Americans into harm’s way without a clear plan,” said the Massachusetts Democrat in a statement.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the troops will assist local security forces as they prepare to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from ISIS.
For two years, Moulton has spoken about the need to defeat ISIS and prevent successors from taking root. He has conducted a review of U.S. policies in Iraq, including three visits as a member of the House Armed Services Committee to meet with generals, foreign policy leaders and U.S. ground troops.
“But what we urgently need is a political plan so that we don’t have to send our troops back again and again to deal with ISIS 2.0,” Moulton said.
Secretary Ash said in anticipation of the Mosul fight, the U.S. and Iraqi governments have agreed that additional U.S. and coalition capabilities could help accelerate the campaign at this critical phase.
Carter said he and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recommended deployment of the additional troops to the president to further enable Iraqi forces, and the president authorized it with the support and approval of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
But Moulton said it’s the wrong move.
“I’ve released a plan that I believe should guide our political strategy in Iraq, and I’ll continue to press the Obama Administration and future administrations to ensure that the sacrifices our troops have made, and continue to make, are not in vain,” he said.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].
