Florida’s senior Senator – Democrat Bill Nelson – is on his way back to the states after spending nearly 2 weeks in the Middle East.

Senator Nelson met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders…as well as officials from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He also met with U-S military commanders in the region.

During the past two days Nelson traveled around Iraq – and met with a group of Floridians stationed there…

“They are in high spirits. They are doing their duty gladly. They miss home, but they are happy to be serving their country.”

Nelson says after sharing several meals with a group of Florida troops there’s one thing he IS sure of…that they’re well fed, and happy for it.

But the other thing he says he’s sure of is that there’s no longer a military solution in Iraq…and that it’s time for honest realism in formulating a new approach to deal with the growing crisis there, not hard headed ideology.

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During a press conference from Kuwait, Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson told reporters the point of no return is fast approaching in Iraq.

Nelson spent 2 weeks traveling across the Middle East – meeting with regional leaders and U-S military commanders.

He says the level of violence he witnessed makes it clear to him that it’s time for honest realism, not hard headed ideology.

“I was having meetings with Floridians…marines in Anbar Provence. Every night when they’re out on patrol…every time they drive down the road they have to encounter IED’s.”

IED’s – or improvised explosive devices – are soldiers’ single greatest threat as they travel the Iraqi roadways.

Nelson says while he is co-sponsor of a bill to increase the overall military by 20-thousand troops – an increase specifically in Iraq won’t do any good without a proper plan.