In the past few weeks, President Obama has outlined his vision for U.S. drawdown and eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan. His goal is to be done with our current mission by the end of 2014. In the past week, other NATO members have advocated leaving sooner or even immediately. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is a member of both the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. He is confident that the U.S. will pull back responsibly and leave the Afghan government and security forces in the best possible position to fend for themselves. Wilson says he is not worried that rampant corruption in Afghanistan will sink the country’s future. He admires President Hamid Karzai, although he admits that’s an opinion not many others share. The congressman also chides Pakistan for sentencing a U.S. intelligence asset critical to the Bin Laden raid to 33 years in prison on treason charges. Wilson says it’s clearly in Pakistan’s best interest to ally with the U.S. and root out Al Qaeda, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in Pakistan. However, Wilson says we should not be threatening to reduce foreign aid to Pakistan because less influence could mean greater instability in a nuclear nation. And Rep. Wilson shares his thoughts on Memorial Day and the incredible men and women who wear our nation’s uniform.
