The efforts of the American military in Afghanistan are important to the safety and security of the American people around the world and here at home, which is why I traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, last month to attend the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly.

Our days were packed with meetings, most of which focused on U.S. efforts to help boost the troop commitment of our NATO Allies to the war against the Taliban and al-Qaida. The American delegation, made up of congressional representatives and members of the U.S. military, enlisted the further support of countries which are already contributing to the fight in Afghanistan. Whether it was a direct result of our negotiations or not, shortly after the delegation returned to Washington, D.C., for votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, several key allies boosted their involvement in Afghanistan.

As President Obama and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle pursue more troops, support and funding for the U.S. effort, young men and women from our country are doing the heaviest lifting and the most dangerous work in Afghanistan. But though our support effort is bipartisan, we have been criticized by some Americans who want a full withdrawal from Afghanistan. Worse, support for the war in Afghanistan has been politicized by extremists on the far left who, whatever their agendas, do not want the NATO effort in Afghanistan to succeed.

But we must succeed. The dialogue of cooperation between Americans and our allies is important, or we will be left fighting the war against terrorism alone. We must defeat the Taliban and eliminate safe harbors for al-Qaida. We must fight a just war on behalf of the world's free people. And we must support in every way the Americans who are on the front lines in this battle. That is my commitment as a member of Congress, a leader in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and an American.

Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau represents Missouri's 8th District in the U.S. Representatives.