ACTION ALERT: US Bombs Iraq and Syria
Stephen Miles / Win Without War
(February 3, 2024) — Late last night, the US military unleashed a major bombing campaign on different targets across Iraq and Syria — and administration officials promised more strikes would follow.
While both US and Iranian officials have reiterated that neither country wants war, both continue to meet force with force. The simple reality is that this tit-for-tat, violence-first response threatens a rapid, dangerous spiral into all-out war.
We’ve been emailing you, fearing exactly this kind of escalation after the tragic death of three US service members in an attack on a military base in Jordan. And you’ve already responded in a big way. Within days, more than 16,000 grassroots activists took action to demand President Biden change course and prevent a regional war by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the fire at the core of this regional inferno.
The problem is that right now, loud and influential voices in the media and across DC are championing these US attacks and calling for more of the same. Some Republicans in Congress are even saying the planned 85 strikes won’t go far enough, demanding the President should directly attack Iran and launch an even bigger war. [1]
We know the President hears these hawks, and that’s why we have to make sure our message for peace gets even louder. There are three ways you can help us do it right now:
- Speak Out. President Biden needs to hear from activists who oppose war and demand peace today. If you haven’t already, join us in urging President Biden to change course and prevent a regional war by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- Build Power. If you’ve already signed the petition, thank you. Now, we need you to help grow our movement — and power. Share the petition on Facebookand Twitter, or forward this email to five people now.
- Fuel the Work. Please consider rushing an urgent donation to support Win Without War’s urgent work — anything to help us keep doing all we can to save lives in Gaza, Israel, and beyond.
In moments like this, it can feel like our voices don’t matter, but when the news broke last night of yet another effort to try and bomb our way to peace in the Middle East, members of Congress were already in touch with our team, strategizing on how to respond. When a whole movement of people fed up with the failed military-first status quo speaks out, decision-makers understand that it’s time to choose a different path.
Just this week, our team has been busy meeting with members of Congress and other key decision-makers, delivering your demands face-to-face. It’s because of your actions — your voices — that we’re able to make such an incredible impact: We’ve already seen multiple key members of Congress question the President and experts in the press are raising the alarm about the dangerous tightrope President Biden is walking.
More War Puts US Soldiers at Greater Risk
More war ensures US troops in the region remain in incredible danger — at greater risk than they already are. The simple truth is that the current spasm of violence in the Middle East stems from the ongoing horrific war in Gaza. That’s why President Biden needs to do everything in his power to immediately secure a ceasefire in Gaza, and lead robust, regional diplomacy aimed at a genuine de-escalation of violence.
Gar, when we see our leaders work against our values, it’s time to work harder to build the world we want. In the coming days, we’ll deliver our petition to the President, demanding he change course, call for a ceasefire, and prevent a regional war — and we need to make sure we have as many signatures as possible when we do.
ACTION: Please add your name now to call on President Biden to change course if you haven’t already spoken out. If you have, please forward this email to five people and share this action on Facebook and Twitter today.
So many of you have already taken action and donated to support our work because you know that violence only begets more violence. We know that more bombs will never be the answer, and are actually likely to make everything much, much worse.
Thank you for all you’re doing to speak out and change course to build a more peaceful world — a world where everyone, everywhere can thrive without fear of bombs and bullets.
Thank you for working for peace,
Stephen and the Win Without War team
Footnote
1. Politico, “GOP lawmakers say strikes in Iraq and Syria aren’t enough”
P.S. Read our full statement on last night’s US strikes on Syria and Iraq below.
We Need a Ceasefire, Not More War
Win Without War
WASHINGTON, DC (February 2, 2024) — “We are monitoring reports of US military strikes against a number of targets across Iraq and Syria. While these strikes, and likely additional rounds, have been telegraphed by the Biden administration, we are deeply concerned about this dangerous escalation and reiterate our call for the President to dramatically change course.
“While these strikes come in response to the recent tragic loss of three US service members, there is little reason to believe that they will be any more successful at halting the growing spread of violence across the Middle East than multiple previous rounds of similar US bombing.
Instead, the President should do everything in his power to immediately secure a ceasefire in Gaza, the fire at the core of this regional inferno, while leading robust, regional diplomacy aimed at a genuine de-escalation of violence. More war will only put US forces and people in the region at greater risk than they already are.
“Finally, we remain concerned about the clear lack of appropriate legal authorization for this prolonged military engagement. While the President always retains the constitutional right to engage in self-defense, planned retaliation and prolonged bombing campaigns are not self-defense. These are not simply philosophical debates but fundamental constitutional checks and balances designed to prevent us from slipping into exactly the kind of full-scale regional war we are racing dangerously towards.
“It’s long past time to recognize we cannot bomb our way to peace and choose a different path.”
this was not the firs time the US has bombed Iraq and Syria.
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A ceasefire in Gaza will de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. What President Biden decides to do over the next 48 hours could determine whether or not the United States goes to war with Iran. Late in January, three US soldiers were killed and dozens injured in a drone attack launched by militias operating along the Iraq-Syrian border. This senseless loss of lives is just the most recent example of escalating strikes between the US military and a variety of forces in the Middle East.
These attacks are directly linked to the ongoing violence in Gaza. But the last time there was a temporary ceasefire, the attacks on US troops in the region ceased. A renewed deal would save Palestinian lives, release the hostages held in Gaza, and protect US soldiers by broadly de-escalating tensions in the region. Taken together, these steps can create the conditions necessary to find a path to a lasting peace.
If one thing is clear since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, it is that violence begets more violence. Thankfully, there is a different path to choose.
The problem? Hawkish politicians are pounding the pavement calling for war. They’re using an absurd argument that not responding with violence makes the US look weak. We know that’s not true, we know that strength is not about using violence, but rather finding solutions that work to build true safety and security. That’s why it’s so crucial for you to add your name to this petition calling on President Biden to choose a ceasefire in Gaza over a regional war in the Middle East right now.
