Virginia Democratic Sen.-elect Jim Webb on Sunday called for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq while the United States works with other nations in the region to come to a diplomatic solution to stabilizing Iraq.
“There are limits to what our military can do,” Webb said, speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“We need a diplomatic approach that will create some stability among the players in the region. From that approach, then you can begin troop withdraws of combat troops and still be able to affect the issue of international terrorism,” he said.
“When the United States is operating unilaterally, it creates further potential [for civil war in Iraq] because of the resentment of having the United States there alone,” he added. “We did this in Afghanistan; we got the countries tangential to Afghanistan to become part of the process that created the solution. That’s what you need in Iraq. You need accountability beyond the United States.”
Webb said these talks would include Iran and Syria, countries President George W. Bush has described as enemies of the U.S. During the campaign, incumbent Republican George Allen repeatedly attacked Webb for wanting to include these countries.
Webb, a former secretary of the navy and decorated Vietnam veteran, is expected to be a strong voice on national security issues in the new Congress.
On Sunday, he continued his advocacy for the middle and working classes, a theme that emerged in his campaign and has continued after his victory.
“I strongly believe [the economy] is the most important issue facing our country,” he said. “We can talk about free trade agreements, but they are not fair. What has happened to American workers in this environment?”
“It’s not just a rich and poor [issue] anymore,” he added. “It’s an issue about workers worldwide and how Americans fit in with them.”
