Say No to Another War in the Middle East

We urge LPF members to tell President Obama and your members of Congress that you oppose the U.S. engaging in any form of military action in response to the growing conflict in Iraq. The peace community is united around this position, and for good reason. A wide range of experts agree that military action would not be an effective and constructive response to the conflict. In fact, it could easily make a bad situation worse -- "like pouring gasoline on a fire" is how one Peace Action leader put it. So please contact your elected leaders today!

A little background: In the past decade, the US invasion of Iraq, other military action, and taking sides in regional differences (and demonizing others a "terrorist") have played a major role in deepening existing conflicts. Instead, as we have been saying for years, the US needs to join with other nations to use diplomacy and address the roots of these conflict(s) such as poverty and discrimination. At the same time, we need to help ease tensions and move toward reconciliation among the various groups (Shia, Sunni, Kurd, etc.). Such a longer-range approach has its own challenges, but imagine if a decade ago, we had begun spending even a tenth of what the war cost on development aid, supporting democratic initiatives, working with other nations.

We need to put a barrier in front of the push for military action; and move the US toward collaborative action with other nations on strategies that have a chance of success over the long-term. Contact your elected officials today!

Diplomacy Not More Arms Needed in Iraq and Syria
http://davidcortright.net/2014/06/12/diplomacy-not-more-arms-needed-in-iraq-and-syria/

As Obama Considers Drone Strikes in Iraq, Could U.S. Military Action
Worsen Sectarian Conflict?
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/6/16/as_obama_considers_drone_strikes_in

"5 Principals for Iraq," by Thomas Friedman, NY Times, 6-15-14
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/opinion/sunday/thomas-friedman-5-principles-for-iraq.html?ref=opinion

"Stay Out of Sectarian Civil Wars" -------could be in 2nd section
http://tomhayden.com/home/stay-out-of-sectarian-civil-wars.html

other useful links:
"The Almighty Mess in Iraq"
http://ericmargolis.com/2014/06/the-allmighty-mess-in-iraq/

"7 talking points you need for discussing the Iraq crisis" ---------could be in 1st section
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/talking-points-iraq-crisis

"The Iraq Mess: Place Blame Where it Is Deserved, by John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 6-13-14 blog post
www.newyorker.com%2Fonline%2Fblogs%2Fjohncassidy%2F2014%2F06%2Fthe-iraq-mess-place-the-blame-where-it-is-deserved.html

"Report from Iraq: U.S. Invasion in 2003 Helped Set Path for Crisis Pulling Nation Apart"
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/6/13/report_from_iraq_us_invasion_in

Nuclear Weapons: Status Quo, Reduction, or Elimination?

Here's a fact that may prove disturbing to serious followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace:  more than 6,000 nuclear weapons exist in the USA today, ready for deployment.

Nuclear weapons, instead of protecting us, now threaten us and people everywhere.  President Obama, without suggesting a treaty, in June 2013 proposed a reduction "by one third" of the nuclear weapons held by Russia and the USA, but Russia wants other nuclear powers to join negotiations.  Nine nations now reportedly have more than 17,000 weapons.  What options do concerned people have  for encouraging that nuclear weapons either be reduced or eliminated?

Since August is Nuclear-Free Future Month, some congregations or individuals might want to write their Congressperson urging that the US start negotiations on a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.  It's time to consider doing so when even former “cold warriors” like Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, William Perry and Sam Nunn called for complete elimination of nuclear weapons in the Wall Street Journal in 2010.

On a more modest scale, at least 22 members of Congress are calling for significant reductions in Pentagon spending, and the nuclear arsenal probably would receive major cutbacks.  www.peace-action.org, search "nuclear weapons."

In the House of Representatives, Ed Markey introduced the "Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act," HR 1506, which would make cuts to spending on nuclear weapons totaling more than $100 billion over the next decade.  If your representative has not co-sponsored this bill, suggest action.  www.fcnl.org

A further request to President Obama could be that he clarify the U.S.A.'s nuclear posture by announcing that the USA will not use nuclear weapons first under any circumstances.  Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: www.wagingpeace.org

In addition, the Obama administration proposes to spend $7.87 billion on the National Nuclear Security Administration for research and maintenances of the US nuclear arsenal.  Some letters to the President might question the mixed messages.  www.nukewatchinfo.org

Other critical issues may flood the media now, but your phone calls, letters and emails about nuclear weapons deserve your efforts on behalf of the survival of humanity.

More resources:
www.icanw.org International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
www.forusa.org, search "nuclear weapons"
www.warresisters.org, search "resources" for "Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
www.elca.org for earlier statements about nuclear weapons
www.ploughshares.org
www.globalzero.org/en
www.takepart.com/zero

From the LPF Archives:

For People of Faith: AN URGENT CALL (2003)
On August 6th we remember the anniversary of the atomic the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.
We invite you to pray for peace.

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day of Prayer for Peace, Bulletin Insert (2005)

Animation of Nuclear History