After eight years in Afghanistan, as a nation we have become fatigued by war. Since our battle first began against the Taliban and al Qaeda in 2001, almost 900 Americans have died, including some of our fellow Oklahomans. Today, many Americans find themselves asking now more than ever when the war will end, if it is winnable, and even what winnable means in a nation such as Afghanistan.

We are confronted with hard choices for achieving our primary goal in Afghanistan.

The main objectives will be to deny al Qaeda safe-haven, prevent the Taliban from toppling the Afghan government, and standing-up Afghan Security Forces to provide for their nation’s stability. In addition, if we do not take care of the situation in Afghanistan, undoubtedly the government of Pakistan would be the next to fall into the control of a terrorist regime.

Since October of 2001, our brave men and women in uniform have aggressively taken the fight to al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan, while largely operating without a clear and coherent plan or the sufficient reinforcements and resources to achieve victory. It is now time to focus our military’s efforts and resources there, and also our support here at home for the mission and the troops who will undertake it.

Thousands of Oklahomans from all corners of the state have served in the fight against terrorism.

For all of those Oklahomans, and for all the Americans elsewhere just like them, I pledge my support here in Congress to provide our troops with every resource they need to achieve mission success. A vote to send young men and women to war is the most solemn responsibility a U.S. Congressman can undertake. However, I believe it is the responsible and necessary decision to move aggressively against the Taliban and al Qaida to defeat them.

In the coming days and weeks administration and Pentagon officials will testify before the House Armed Services Committee to give greater detail on the way forward in Afghanistan.

As a member of that committee and of the House Intelligence Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the military and intelligence communities to make certain our nation’s security is the central focus of this strategy. It is my hope — the hope of all of us — that this plan will protect our nation, achieve our goals, and return our troops home as safe as possible.

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., represents the 2nd Congressional District. Contact: (202) 225-2701.