The U.S. Role In Afghanistan And Syria: (Re)establishing And Maintaining A Strong Backstop Against Terrorist Threats

October 30, 2019
Contact: Jessica Jones
jjones76@gmu.edu
703-993-8061

National Security Institute Publishes New NSI Law and Policy Paper:
“The U.S. Role In Afghanistan And Syria: (Re)establishing And Maintaining A Strong Backstop Against Terrorist Threats”

Arlington, VA – On October 29, 2019, the National Security Institute (NSI) at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School published its latest NSI Law and Policy Paper, “The U.S. Role In Afghanistan And Syria: (Re)establishing And Maintaining A Strong Backstop Against Terrorist Threats,” by NSI Founder Jamil N. Jaffer and NSI Associate Director for Global Security and Senior Fellow Matthew R. A. Heiman.

This NSI Law and Policy Paper:

  • Summarizes the history of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and Syria.
  • Explains the consequences of a U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan & Syria.
  • Provides recommendations to maintain U.S. security at home and advancement of U.S. goals abroad.

“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.

About George Mason
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 33,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states.  Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility.

About the Scalia Law School
The Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University is defined by three words: Learn. Challenge. Lead. Students receive an outstanding legal education (Learn), are taught to critically evaluate prevailing orthodoxy and pursue new ideas (Challenge), and, ultimately, are well prepared to distinguish themselves in their chosen fields (Lead).  It has been one of America’s top-ranked law schools for the last fifteen years.