Hey folks,

I was dismayed by the revelation that many of our Afghan allies have been recruited to fight for Russia against Ukraine. I can't say I was surprised: they are hunted by the Taliban every single day, and like everyone else, they just want to live. It's unconscionable that after 20 years of American involvement, the best option we gave them for survival was Vladimir Putin.

I wrote an Op-Ed with the NY Times that explains the situation in depth. It is gaining attention, and even made the front page of the international edition

Fortunately, you can do more than just read about what is happening. The state department recently announced the creation of the Welcome Corps- an immigration initiative that Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls the "Boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in four decades." Afghans however, will not be included until much later in 2023. Many will die in that time; they need help now, not at some unknown point in the future.

An untold number could be saved if Afghans are included into the first phase of the Welcome Corps. I ask that you reach out to State Department representatives and Secretary Blinken himself.

Click this Link to send a tweet to the State Department and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The Welcome Corps has yet to be fully unveiled; with the right sort of pressure, we can have a profoun impact on how it is finalized.

Alternatively, I encourage you to send the following message in whichever form of social media you prefer:

The @StateDept must expand Phase I of the @WelcomeCorps to include Afghans.

@SecBlinken our nation is a beacon of hope to the world. 

Putin will prove that otherwise if we don't act.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/opinion/afghanistan-ukraine-putin-special-forces.html