Iran/Iraq Crisis Message #4

Day of Action January 25: No War with Iran. Across the country a host of national peace and social justice groups are staging anti-war events in their area. To find an event near you or your campus, check https://www.codepink.org/01252020 


Congressional Update: the House of Representatives is in recess this week and, unless involved in impeachment proceedings, members will be back in their district.  This is a good time to convey a message about Iran –whether by phone, a drop-by visit to their office or participation in a town hall meeting. Urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor two important pieces of legislation  (or thank them if they have already signed on:

Barbara Lee’s resolution HR 2456 to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, which has been used by the last three administration’s to justify military action in several countries. For co-sponsors:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2456/cosponsors?q=%7B%22cosponsor-state%22%3A%22New+York%22%7D

Ro Khanna’s (D-Calif) resolution HR 5543 No War Against Iran Act, which would bar the Pentagon from using funds for military action against Iran, unless specifically authorized by Congress. For list of co-sponsors:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5543/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded&KWICView=false

 

Articles Pertaining to Iran/Iraq Crisis

Patrick Cockburn, The US and Iran’s Perpetual War is Unsustainable

https://www.unz.com/pcockburn/the-us-and-irans-perpetual-almost-war-is-unsustainable/

Mitchell Plitnik, The Time is Right for Renewed Diplomacy With Iran, but Hawks Are Still Clamoring For War

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/01/19/the-time-is-ripe-for-renewed-diplomacy-with-iran-but-hawks-are-still-clamoring-for-war/

Sam Levin, How US Sanctions Punish Iranian-Americans

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/19/iranian-americans-us-sanctions-iran

Paul Pillar, Trump Drives Past an Off-Ramp

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/01/08/trump-drives-past-an-off-ramp/ 

Stephen Zunes, Today’s US-Iran Crisis is Rooted in Decision To Invade Iraq

https://truthout.org/articles/todays-us-iran-crisis-is-rooted-in-the-decision-to-invade-iraq/

Submitted by Prasannan Parthasrathi and Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg, legislative coordinators