Adam Kinzinger
Members of Congress need relevant information about maintaining an equally beneficial relationship between Iraq and the United States to proactively inform their legislative decision making, U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) told The Ripon Advance.
It’s tantamount to national security, Kinzinger said in explaining the impetus behind his involvement in the new Congressional Iraq Caucus, which the congressman co-chairs along with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).
“I wanted to get involved in this caucus because I think that members of Congress should understand why Iraq’s future is so important to America’s interests, and I believe that highlighting the bilateral strategic relationship between our two countries can only help to provide members with the needed information to educate their constituents on the importance of America’s continued global engagement,” said Kinzinger, who is also a Major in the Air National Guard.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Kinzinger served in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2003 and later awarded his pilot wings, Kinzinger served in Air Force Special Operations, Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command in addition to the Air Guard. He’s received the USAF Airman’s Medal and the National Guard’s Valley Forge Cross for Heroism.
As a supporter of U.S. leadership in the Middle East, Kinzinger was among the first congressional members to call for airstrikes against the militant jihadist group, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. He continues to focus on creating a comprehensive strategy to end the threats posed by this terrorist organization.
“Like my fellow veterans of the Iraq War that fought so hard to eradicate the terrorist threats from Al Qaeda and now ISIS, and to take back towns from their stranglehold, we have a vested interest to ensure that our sacrifices were not made in vain,” he told The Ripon Advance.
A key national security interest for the United States, he added, is preventing further instability in Iraq and “assisting its government in thwarting terrorist violence and building a better future for its people.”
That’s also a key message for every American citizen: it’s critically important that the United States continues to support Iraq as it looks to eradicate terrorism at home and abroad, Kinzinger said.
“A sustainable and strong bilateral relationship between our two countries, which includes cooperation and assistance, will be crucial in preventing a reconstitution of ISIS in Iraq,” he said.
Toward that end, the Congressional Iraq Caucus will provide the forum for explaining such importance through relevant topics.
For instance, on May 25 the new caucus will host an event entitled, Policy Choices in Post-Mosul Iraq, a discussion presented in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
The Congressional Iraq Caucus event is aimed at better informing policy choices on upcoming legislation, though Kinzinger said there is no legislation on the docket at this time.
“[But] I do feel that events like these can better inform members of Congress on the situation on the ground for ordinary Iraqis as they seek to take back their cities from the scourge of ISIS and other terrorist groups. These events can help guide us in how we will approach ways to assist Iraq’s future stability.”
Participating in the event will be former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, NDI chairwoman; Les Campbell, NDI senior associate and regional director of Middle East and North Africa programs; and Ancuta Hansen, NDI Iraq Country director.
As a Republican taking the lead on this caucus, Kinzinger thinks bipartisanship is critical.
“I think whether you are a Republican or Democrat, we have sacrificed significant blood and treasure to help Iraq reach a better future. As Iraq continues to beat back the threat from ISIS and prevent Iranian domination, it is in the interest of all members to ensure the future stability of Iraq,” he told The Ripon Advance.
As veterans of the Iraq War, Kinzinger said both he and Moulton fought to preserve Iraq’s future for its people and the region. He added: “We believe it continues to be in our interest as members of Congress to sustain what we have accomplished after ISIS is defeated.”
According to the Congressional Iraq Caucus’ agenda, the May 25 invitation-only event will give the audience a chance to hear from Iraqi citizens, including those liberated from Mosul, about the future of their nation; the conduct of the army, the president and other political leaders; what it will take to make Iraqi citizens feel integrated into their country’s future; and how to avoid extremism and factional politics in Iraq. A post-meeting event will be open to the press.
Kinzinger said the caucus also is “working on a few ideas for events and briefings on various issues pertaining to the bilateral U.S.-Iraq relationship—we’re hoping to have them set up in the coming months.”
When asked how successful the Trump administration has been in building a rapport with Iraq thus far, Kinzinger seemed encouraged.
“I met with Prime Minister Abadi during his most recent trip to Washington and my readout of the trip was that Prime Minister Abadi is looking forward to maintaining a close and positive relationship with the Trump administration,” he said.
What’s equally important, Kinzinger noted, is that both U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and U.S. National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster “served in dangerous situations to defeat terrorism and oppression in Iraq.”
“I think that these two warriors understand better than anyone how important the ongoing relationship with Iraq will be for the Trump administration,” he said.