“America’s planned withdrawal from Afghanistan and Syria would be a mistake of catastrophic proportions.  Today’s paper highlights some of the potential consequences of such a withdrawal, and identifies potential options for ensuring that America is able to maintain the safety and security that it has enjoyed by taking the fight to terrorists where they reside, ” Mr. Jaffer said.

“While the President should be credited for eliminating Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, such critical milestones are possible because of our on-the-ground presence and longstanding relationships with local allies.  Our paper argues that the work of defeating ISIS and preventing its regeneration and the efforts to keep the Taliban from again turning Afghanistan into terrorist enclave require a continued U.S. military presence in these countries.  This is the right thing to do for our citizens here at home and our friends in the Middle East and Afghanistan,” Mr. Heiman said.

The paper is available here.
Mr. Jaffer’s bio can be found here.
Mr. Heiman’s bio can be found here.

About the National Security Institute
The National Security Institute serves as a platform for research, teaching, scholarship, and policy development that incorporates a realistic assessment of the threats facing the United States and its allies, as well as an appreciation of the legal and practical challenges facing U.S. intelligence, defense, law enforcement, homeland security, and cybersecurity communities.  NSI draws on the experience of its visiting fellows, as well as its highly distinguished advisory board and faculty, to produce timely research and policy materials that deliver insightful analysis and actionable recommendations to senior policymakers in the White House and key departments and agencies, as well as those on Capitol Hill.