Levin: Afghanistan effort not a failure

IRONWOOD - As Carl Levin prepares to leave office after spending the past 36 years as a U.S. senator, he wants Americans to know the effort in Afghanistan has not been a failure.

While he said polls show 60 percent or more of Americans believe U.S. policies in Afghanistan have failed, he said, "We've accomplished a hell of a lot."

Levin, D-Detroit, spoke to a Monday noon Gogebic County Democratic Party luncheon gathering at Tacconelli's. It was an opportunity for key members of the party to thank him for serving since his election in 1978.

He turned 80 earlier this summer and is retiring.

Levin, chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, spoke at length about Iran and Afghanistan.

He said the change in Afghanistan in the past 10 years has been "stunning." He said while Americans hear about bombings and lives being lost, the Taliban has "... been reduced to a point where they control only a small part of Afghanistan."

Levin said he believes the American people have been "cheated" by the "totally negative picture (of Afghanistan) that has been portrayed in the press."

Levin said there are 10 times as many schools in the country and educational opportunities have vastly improved, with 40 percent of the teachers now young women.

Speaking about the thousands of soldiers who have been killed or wounded there, he acknowledged, "we've paid a price."

He sees hope in the younger generations of Afghanistan and Iran. "I'm optimistic over time that the younger generations will turn against the dictatorships," he said.

Levin warned there are still fanatical groups across the globe that will use nuclear weapons if given the opportunity. The U.S. must remain vigilant to prevent another 9-11, he said.

He said America shouldn't play a lead role in countries such as Afghanistan, however, but serve in a supporting role with a coalition of countries. "We cannot do it on our own,"  he said. "That's counterproductive."

By the end of next year, Levin said all U.S. combat troops will be out of Afghanistan, leaving about 7,000 soldiers as a counter-terrorism force.

Asked who might take over his defense leadership role, Levin mentioned U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, of Rhode Island, and Missouri U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Gogebic County Circuit Court Judge Roy Gotham praised Levin's six terms in office, calling him "an unpretentious and humble guy" who has been voted as one of the top 10 senators in America.

Levin returned the compliment by saying Gotham once gave him the best introduction he had ever heard.

State Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, said, "I can't say enough about what he does to take care of the veterans. One phone call to his office and they get it done. I wanted to say thanks today for all he does to help us."

Levin said he supports Democrat U.S. Rep. Gary Peters in the election to replace him, but didn't comment specifically about Peters' race with Republican Terri Lynn Land, to be decided at the polls in November.

The longest-serving senator in Michigan history told the Daily Globe he's not thinking about retirement plans, saying he has four months remaining on the job to keep him busy.