This week, President Obama and the military establishment are discussing their plans for escalation in Afghanistan. But their perspective does not take into account the high human cost of the occupation, and the soldiers, Marines, and Afghan people who are paying the price for over 8 years of disastrous military policy.

On October 7th we entered the 9th year of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. Throughout the month of October, IVAW will be highlighting the stories of our members who have served there, and those who have refused to go. Stay tuned for blog entries and audio podcasts of their first-hand experiences and what made them turn against the war.

IVAW chapters around the country also will be holding college teach-ins and other educational events to share what they know about the Afghanistan occupation.

We hope to bury the myth, once-and-for-all, that Afghanistan is "the Good War," because too many Amercans are still on the fence about it.

Now is the time to sharpen debate and broaden consensus that the U.S. must get out of Afghanistan.

Here's how you can help:

• Are there nagging questions you have about Afghanistan you would like our veterans to answer? Email your questions to susankuruvilla@ivaw.org.  Be sure to type "questions" in the subject line to ensure a prompt response.

• Sign up to become a sustaining donor of IVAW with a monthly or quarterly donation. Your regular contribution will help sustain our important work in these extremely difficult economic times. Please help us meet our October goal of getting 250 sustainers. Sign up for as little as $10 per month today by clicking here.

Thank you for being involved. Your participation in this campaign is critical.

This Months Updates

• U.S. Marine reflects on his return to Afghanistan as a civilian
• Afghanistan Awareness in New York City
• A message from Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan

Iraq Veterans Against the War