James B. Cunningham

This strategy for peace correctly aligned three elements for getting the Taliban to genuine negotiations...

But they will be--I think they will be successful in establishing--reestablishing a legitimate political authority in Afghanistan as a result of the exercise of the voting franchise by the Afghan people.

I would--I would think it is important to get to a cease-fire as quickly as possible, particularly given the ongoing campaign against Afghan civilians being waged by the Taliban.

An agreement which fails in fact to open the way to peace for Afghanistan will be a defeat for U.S. leadership and values.

A flawed deal on withdrawal of U.S. forces--one not grounded in the context of an actual peace agreement--risks the collapse of Afghanistan into chaos.

I applaud President Obama's decision to maintain the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan through 2016 and beyond.

The test will be whether Pakistan takes concrete actions not only to support reconciliation, but to reduce the ability of the Taliban and the Haqqani network to plan and launch operations from Pakistan.

Experience teaches that ideology cannot be defeated militarily, although military force must be an instrument.

Our efforts there must be long term and in concert with the need for the United States to help develop and implement a generational strategy to defend our people and values.

The success of Afghanistan is part of this larger struggle which the civilized world, including more than 1.5 billion peace-loving Muslims, must win.

The challenges are considerable, but Afghanistan's political class must understand that the opportunity today afforded Afghanistan is unique and must not be squandered if Afghanistan is to be seen as worthy of continued international…

I think that, under the circumstances, that timeline is probably too short and the rate of withdrawal is too steep.