BU Professor To Argue For Different Path In Afghanistan

The Senate will hold a hearing Thursday on the president's proposal to build up American troops in Afghanistan.

Among those testifying will be Boston University international relations and history professor Andrew Bacevich. Bacevich has been an outspoken opponent of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His son was killed in Iraq.

Bacevich plans to tell the hearing that it is not important to occupy Afghanistan in order to prevent it from being a launching base for terror attacks.

"We are paying dearly both in blood and treasure for a prize that is only of limited value," Bacevich said. "Now I'm not saying that Afghanistan is unimportant. What I am saying is that there are ways to secure our interest short of engaging in a perpetual war."

Bacevich was invited to testify by Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.