22Apr
WASHINGTON — Today, veteran organizations remember the anniversary of the Iraq War. More than two decades later, the same dynamics that led to Iraq’s invasion still shape U.S. foreign policy with the war in Iran. Despite administration after administration sending troops into harm’s way, and defense contractors continuing to profit, the era of forever wars has yet to fully close. Veterans know the cost of these decisions better than anyone.
“Today we remember Iraq. And years from now, if we fail to change course, we will remember Iran the same way. Veterans know the real cost of these wars. We’ve seen service members and families broken by deployments, trauma, and loss, while war profiteers cash in on the chaos,” said Naveed Shah, Iraq War veteran and Political Director of Common Defense, said the following: “That cycle has defined the era of forever wars. At the same time, this administration continues policies that harm veterans at home — cutting benefits while sending another generation into harm’s way. Veterans will not stay silent. ”
“Twenty-three years after the Iraq War began, Americans are still living with the consequences of a conflict sold on false promises that dragged on for decades. Those lessons should have strengthened the guardrails around decisions to send Americans to war. Instead, the United States is already in another escalating conflict while Congress stands on the sidelines.
Without transparency, without the accountability that comes with a public debate, public trust in our democratic institutions erodes. When service members are being asked to leave their homes and their families, to risk their lives for this country, then the least this country’s government owes them is a real vote in Congress.” said Chris Purdy, founder and CEO of the Chamberlain Network
“The Iraq War wasn’t just a policy failure; it was a moral one. LGBTQ+ troops were forced to hide who they were under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and communities of color were disproportionately sent to fight a war built on flawed decisions, only to come home to broken systems and unequal care. That harm didn’t happen by accident – it was the result of choices. And now, as tensions escalate with Iran, we are standing at the edge of making those same choices again.
Today’s military is more diverse than ever. That means LGBTQ+ service members, women, and communities of color will again be on the front lines. While policies like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell are gone, instability and political attacks – especially targeting transgender troops and women in combat – continue to create uncertainty that undermines readiness and trust. Military diversity is a strength, but only if we stop disproportionately placing the burden of war on marginalized communities.We know exactly who will pay the price. It’s time to stop repeating the cycle.” said Sharon Arana, policy advisor at Minority Veterans of America
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Common Defense Civic Engagement (501c4) (CDCE) is a grassroots, veteran-led organization that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.