Sanders voted for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists that has been cited as the legal justification for controversial military actions since the September 11 attacks . In February 2011 , Sanders traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan with fellow senators Bob Corker , Chris Coons , and Joe Manchin , opining afterward that Afghanistan was " one of the most backward countries in the entire world " given its massive poverty , lack of literacy , and corruption . He stated his belief that the US could afford to reduce its funding for the American and Afghanistan armed forces , Afghanistan police , and Afghanistan 's economic development
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Political positions of Bernie Sanders