On Oct. 7, 2001, the United States officially began Operation Enduring Freedom and the war in Afghanistan. The last decade of war has cost thousands of U.S. lives and hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and as a representative of thousands of service members, military families and veterans, I am entrusted with weighing in on decisions that have a profound impact on the security of our nation, and on the men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure that security.

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the longest war in America's history, we believe it is time for Congress to ask some serious questions about our military engagement in Afghanistan.

Who are we fighting in Afghanistan?

We entered this war because of the threat posed by the international terrorist organization al-Qaida. While al-Qaida expands its operations around the globe, our military is tied up in a ground war against the Taliban, an Afghan rebel group with domestic ambitions.

Senior intelligence officials have estimated that fewer than 100 al-Qaida members remain in Afghanistan, yet we plan to keep 68,000 U.S. troops there through next year.

If we are to defeat terrorism, we must stick to our original strategic mission, maintaining a laser-like focus on al-Qaida, and capitalizing on our technological and intelligence advantage to cut off their financing, intersect their operations, and take out their leaders. The successful operation against Osama bin Laden epitomizes this targeted approach.

Where is our money going?

Afghanistan is widely considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world, behind only Somalia, and new reports of corruption emerge every day. Billions of U.S. dollars have been siphoned off by crooked officials and contractors, carried out of the Kabul airport in bags of cash, and even funneled to warlords and Taliban members who run a lucrative protection racket.

To date, the United States has spent nearly half a trillion dollars in Afghanistan, and that price tag increases by $10 billion every month we stay. Meanwhile, we are forced to cut critical services at home in the face of a rising deficit and financial instability. Continuing to hemorrhage finite U.S. resources in Afghanistan makes us less safe, not more.

When will this war end?

While the current timeline commits 68,000 troops through 2013, recent media reports have suggested that in ongoing talks with the Afghan government on the future of the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship, the United States has considered maintaining more than 35,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2025, at an expected cost of nearly $50 billion per year.

The burden of this war is largely borne by a relatively small number of dedicated service members and their families, including thousands of people I represent in Congress. Many of our troops on the ground in Afghanistan are on their third or fourth tour. These heroes have served with valor and distinction, and they deserve the ability to return home to their families.

The human costs of this war are immeasurable when we consider the circles of grief that surround each of the more than 10,000 Americans who have been killed or wounded. Our forces are overstretched, and our bank account is overdrawn; we need a definitive end date for our nation's longest war.

The dedication and commitment of America's men and women in uniform are absolute. Our troops in Afghanistan execute orders that put them at risk because they trust that the mission in which they are deployed is absolutely critical to our nation's national security. This steadfast loyalty is our nation's most sacred resource, and thus it is our most solemn responsibility to ensure it is never squandered.

There is no U.S. military solution in Afghanistan; a political reconciliation process that engages the various factions is the only prospect for a stable country. Afghanistan's future depends on Afghans, not American soldiers. By ending this war, America can focus on rebuilding the foundations of America's strength and security by paying down our federal deficit, growing our economy and putting Americans back to work.

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Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

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