By John Mulligan
Journal Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jack Reed will depart with a Senate colleague Monday on a fact-finding tour of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several other countries in a region where American forces have been at war for more than seven years.

Reed, former Army officer and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will travel with Sen. Ted Kaufman, the Delaware Democrat appointed to seat vacated by Vice President Joe Biden. Like Biden before him, Kaufman sits on the Foreign Relations Committee.

For Reed, who has toured the region extensively, it will be a first opportunity to assess the situation in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan since President Obama unveiled his plans for improving prospects that have declined in the years since the U.S. toppled the Taliban government and dispersed the Al Qaeda terrorists responsible for the September 11 attacks.

Last summer, Reed accompanied then-candidate Obama on a tour that included Afghanistan and Iraq. The two senators will meet with U.S. diplomats and military commanders, as well as key leaders of the nations on their itinerary. They will also visit troops from Rhode Island and Delaware who are serving overseas. The senators will return next week.

This will be Senator Reed's thirteenth trip to Iraq, seventh to Afghanistan, and fifth to Pakistan. It will be Senator Kaufman's first trip to all three countries.