Congressman Kim Calls for De-Escalation Strategy in Middle East

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement in response to news of proposed military action against Iran:

“Last night’s decision to pull the United States back from the brink of an armed conflict with Iran was the right one. But it was also one that shouldn’t have been needed. If the President truly believes that rogue elements led the shoot down of a U.S. drone, it only goes to underscore the need for direct military-to-military channels to be established between high-level general officers to promote de-escalation in these moments instead of allowing mistakes or misunderstandings to back our country into another war in the Middle East.

After nearly two decades of nonstop war in the Middle East, I’ve heard from people throughout Burlington and Ocean Counties that they want our leaders do everything possible to avoid more conflict. This means working with our allies to take steps to promote security while making direct military action an option of last resort. However, even if the intention of a strike is limited, the likelihood that a strike on Iran could trigger a domino effect of attacks in Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria among other hotspots is dangerously high. A regional war would be devastating, and too many young men and women’s lives are at risk to not have a strategy or system for de-escalation at this time.”

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Prior to serving in Congress, Congressman Kim served in Afghanistan as Strategic Advisor to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen. Kim went on to serve as Director of Iraq in Obama’s National Security Council where he coordinated the crisis response to countering the rise of ISIS.

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