This is the third in my election diary series sharing information about Matt Zeller, Democrat for US House in my home district, NY 29.
Previous diaries in the series are:
Matt Zeller on Creating Jobs in Western New York here
Matt Zeller on Protecting Our Seniors here
Today we are taking a look at National Security
Matt Zeller’s firsthand experience in Afghanistan makes him particularly thoughtful and clear about the responsibilities of a Congressman in leading effectively on National Security. He has spoken about his experience as he has met with voters this campaign season:
As an officer in the United States Army, I pledged to defend our country, our families and our way of life against all enemies - and I will make that same commitment as our next Representative in Congress.
In January 2009, I returned home from serving in Afghanistan with the New York Army National Guard. I know firsthand that the world today is a very dangerous place, and we face a wide range of new and constantly evolving threats.
One story from Matt's service provides an excellent illustration of way he works to identify solutions that both fit the immediate circumstances and support achieving long-term goals:
Leadership in Action: Fighting Terrorism
Visiting villages in Afghanistan, Matt discovered that many Afghan children were staying home from school - even though education is free and their parents wanted to send them to class. The problem was pens. Although school was free, children were required to provide their own pens and paper. There is a stigma in Afghan culture about sending children to school unprepared, and if a family couldn't afford school supplies, they would keep their children home instead.
Matt decided to act. He teamed up with his mother back home and started a charity to donate school supplies to Afghan children. He ordered the soldiers in his unit to always carry pens with them out on patrol to give to Afghan families. As a result, more children in the Ghazni area in Afghanistan were able to attend classes and pursue an education – one of the best ways to make sure the next generation of children don't grow up to be terrorists.
What are Matt Zeller’s top priorities for strengthening national security and keeping our families safe?
Support our Troops and Maintain a Strong Military
I will fight to strengthen our military by strengthening its core asset - the men and women in uniform. That means making sure troops in harm's way have the training and resources they need to accomplish their missions and come home safely. It also means standing up for our military families and veterans. I will work to expand continuing education grants and ensure the GI Bill remains fully funded and always covers the costs of higher education.
Employ All Aspects of our Power
The United States is the most powerful nation the world has ever known, and our power extends far beyond the strength of our arms. If we're going to be successful in protecting our national security and national interests, we need to employ our diplomatic, economic and cultural strength as well as our military might. As a soldier, I know our armed forces can accomplish any mission we set before them, but I also know that some goals are better achieved through other means. By strengthening international partnerships, we can extend our influence to promote security and stability around the world - which makes all of us safer here at home.
One key relationship that we must continue to protect and strengthen is our longstanding partnership with the state of Israel.
Stop Terrorism Before it Starts
Terrorism is a tool of the desperate. Since it only takes one person to be a terrorist, we must fight the ideologies that push people towards using terrorism as a means of achieving their goals. George Kennan once wrote to President Harry Truman that "Communism has sown the seeds of its own destruction." The same can be said of the perverted ideology that motivates Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist groups threatening us today. Only by fighting that ideology and preventing today's children from becoming tomorrow's fighters will we be able to live peacefully together.
Secure Our Borders
One of the most fundamental aspects of national security is controlling who enters our country. We need to secure our borders and make sure that our border patrol agents and law enforcement organizations have the tools they need to do their jobs. This is more than an immigration issue; it also means improved security at our ports and airports to make sure that cargo is properly screened.
Let’s get more specific about the ways we engage in diplomacy, economic development, and defense. When we talk about national security today and the choices we have to make, the Middle East is at the very nexus of every discussion. Having said that Israel is a key relationship, how does Matt see that relationship and the questions that come before Congress?
The United States and Israel share a deep bond. It is a bond based on common values, such as the belief in democracy, freedom, and due process of law. The relationship between our two nations has been strong since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, and it continues to be important as both our countries work together to fight terror. Our alliance is critical to the promotion of peace and democracy in the Middle East. Events taking place in that region now – in Gaza, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran – have not just a profound effect on Israel, but also have a great impact on the safety and security of the entire world.
Foreign aid is currently a significant component of our diplomatic toolset. Matt is committed to continuing to provide assistance to Israel, "demonstrating America's unwavering commitment to her safety and security." Matt will be a strong voice in favor of foreign aid – and he will oppose efforts, "to turn aid for Israel and other allies into political football."
Matt believes deeply that the U.S. should continue to play a critical role in helping facilitate a peace between Israel and the Palestinians:
With that said, neither the U.S. nor any other outside party can force a peace. Ultimately, it is up to the Israelis and the Palestinians to reach an agreement.
Unfortunately, Hamas has made it clear that they have no desire for peace. Until Hamas renounces violence, ends its support of terror, recognizes Israel’s right to exist, and honors prior agreements, it cannot be considered a partner in any peace process.
The United States must send a clear and unmistakable message -- leading the international community -- that we cannot support a regime that is dedicated to the eradication of Israel.
Matt favors isolating Hamas – "a terrorist entity" -- and sending a strong message, "that they will be international pariahs until they change their stated goals and activities."
As a member of Congress, Matt will "unequivocally support Israel's efforts for peace, stability and security". He will vote to hold the Palestinian leadership accountable for their actions, and will support measures such as the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.
Matt firmly believes Israel has the right to defend herself against acts of foreign aggression: "Continued rocket attacks serve as a disturbing reminder of the challenges Israel faces on a day-to-day basis in this dangerous and unstable region of the world." In Congress, Matt will vote for measures like the recent Iron Dome missile defense system to ensure Israel "can defend her citizens".
Given the recent Gaza flotilla confrontations and continuing efforts to raise awareness about the conditions under which people are being forced to live in Gaza, how do we tackle human rights concerns without dismissing Israel’s very real concerns about security?
Matt supports "the right of Israel to prevent weapons and contraband from reaching Hamas in Gaza," and he believes that "international aid efforts must recognize that right."
The tragic loss of life in the flotilla incident off the coast of Gaza underscores the need for a resolution to the situation in Gaza that ensures Palestinian civilians can receive the relief supplies they need and that guarantees Israeli security.
Matt strongly favors U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He favors moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and requiring the U.S. State Department to recognize Jerusalem as part of Israel in passports.
How does Matt view other players in the Middle East, including Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia?
Seemingly every day, we read a new report of nuclear defiance and virulent anti-Semitism emanating from Iran's leadership. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons seems certain, and left to its current path, it is only a matter of time before we must deal with the reality of a nuclear-armed Iran. Our entire globe is threatened by an Iran with nuclear capability, but it is Israel who would face the most clear and immediate danger. Iran's hostility to Israel and ties to dangerous terrorist networks including Hezbollah and Hamas are well-known.
Matt believes, "We must pursue every available option to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons." While he believes diplomatic efforts should be the first option in addressing the Iranian threat, he would leave military options on the table if diplomacy fails. Matt strongly supports efforts to promote financial divestment from Iran and other measures designed to address "its growing threat".
Matt believes Syria must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. He is concerned about reports of, "a recent military buildup in Syria and reports that North Korea may have a role in supplying the Syrians with nuclear technologies." And he believes, "Syria must be held accountable for its ties to Hezbollah."
On the subject of our erstwhile allies Saudi Arabia, Matt Zeller pulls no punches:
Until the Saudi Royal Family demonstrates a commitment to cracking down on Palestinian terror and recognizing Israel’s right to exist, the U.S. government should decline to support the Saudis with weapons or other types of military assistance.
Finally, we can’t talk about the Middle East without coming around to the ties that bind us to the states and regimes of the Middle East – the most intractable of which is our dependence on oil. Matt is committed to working toward achieving energy independence:
Our national addiction to foreign oil is not only a matter of environmental security and economic security, but also of national security. We must work toward a day when the United States will no longer need to purchase oil from the very countries which seek to destroy Israel
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We will be talking more about Alternative Energy soon in a coming diary. As always, Matt loves taking questions on National Security and his ideas for building energy independence as he continues to travel across our region meeting voters, listening to their stories, and answering questions. You can catch him at one of the many local events, a schedule is on his Events page at ZellerForCongress.com
You can also contact Matt Zeller for Congress by:
Phone: (585) 869-5171
Email: info@zellerforcongress.com
Matt's Facebook page
And follow Matt on Twitter: @ZellerNY29
And of course you can donate to help Matt Zeller's campaign on his page at ActBlue