Published in the Poughkeepsie Journal

I recently traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan on a congressional fact-finding mission to meet with our commanders, diplomats, servicemen and women. This trip made it even more clear to me that success in Afghanistan is vital to America's national security, and that diplomacy and development united with defense are required to accomplish that victory.

For the past six years, the primary focus of the U.S. military's efforts has been Iraq - a war I opposed.

I have the utmost admiration for the dedication, courage and commitment of our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. They are a living testament to the greatness of our nation, and their sacrifice has greatly reduced the violence in Iraq.

Despite their brave efforts, however, Iraq was the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place.

The terrorists who attacked America, striking the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and killing thousands of innocent American civilians were trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan. The extremist's hate and terror that assaulted America was spawned and orchestrated by Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan - not Iraq. By taking our eye off the ball in invading Iraq, we left unfinished the job of capturing and neutralizing those responsible for launching the 9/11 attacks.

More than ever, our efforts to build a stable government in Afghanistan are vital to our national security and our fight against terrorism. Afghanistan is the center of that fight.

The role of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan is not only to combat the Taliban and al-Qaida, but also to provide the Afghan people the security to develop viable political, economic, social, and military structures so the country does not revert to a breeding ground for Islamic terrorists.

The Afghan people need security for civilian relief and rebuilding efforts, multinational efforts to end the drug trade, secure the borders, train the Afghan police and military, and to help them defeat Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

We must work to secure Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible so American forces can be withdrawn, leaving a secure and functioning nation that is not a threat to our national interests.

However, if America's presence is solely military, when our troops pull out, the Taliban will resurface. Sixty percent of the Afghan population is under the age of 25. Only through economic development in Afghanistan can we give the population more options in life than joining the terrorists. We all know how powerful America's military is. But what happens after our soldiers leave?

Afghan farmers' biggest cash crop is poppies that are sold to the Taliban to make heroin. The Taliban comes to the farms to make the purchase. This is the only option for many Afghan farmers because there are no safe roads to drive their goods to market. If we secure roads and help farmers grow pomegranates, almonds or grapes to provide them a viable alternative to poppies, we could cut off the main source of the Taliban's revenue.

Electric and water infrastructure throughout most of the country are either non-existent or unreliable. When new government structures fail, people fall back on age-old tribal systems for help. Illiteracy runs from 40 percent to 50 percent among men and 80 percent to 90 percent among women.

Afghan women and girls want to go to school, but the Taliban is still trying to prevent it through intimidation, like throwing acid on little girls leaving a school in Kandahar. Despite disfiguring injuries requiring surgery, these girls' parents still want them to learn. Parents have been walking them to school every day in defiance of the Taliban.

The Afghan people want to work with us to defeat the Taliban and take Afghanistan back for the Afghans.

Joining in our effort is a multinational coalition of more than 30 countries. Japan is paying all police salaries, Canada is helping run the city of Kandahar, French and Italian troops are training Afghan forces. Nongovermental organizations such as Care and Catholic Charities are working on literacy, health, microloans for small businesses, and clean water. Stability and economic opportunity for the people are what will truly marginalize the Taliban.

The road ahead will be tough, but it is necessary for our country's long-term safety and the stability and security of the region. I and other members of Congress, as well as the president, take these decisions very seriously, realize our responsibility to our soldiers and their families, and try to assess our choices realistically. I am grateful to them, and keenly aware of how fortunate we are to live where we do.