The U.S. recently marked the third anniversary of the complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, closing a 20-year war that ended in chaos with the collapse of Kabul to the Taliban and the killing of 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans by ISIS-K terrorists. This has led to questions about the effectiveness of the U.S.’s strategy in countering al Qaeda and Islamic extremism, with debates over the ability to defeat militant groups through kinetic warfare. Concerns have also been raised about the lessons learned from the U.S. War on Terror and how they can be applied to Israel’s own fight against Islamic extremism.
President Biden recently addressed the nation, defending the decision to end the war in Afghanistan by highlighting the original mission to combat Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda in response to the 9/11 attacks. However, despite efforts to weaken al Qaeda, the organization now has sanctuary in Afghanistan due to U.S. failures to counter the Taliban. The withdrawal from Afghanistan was seen as a result of an “intelligence failure” under both the Trump and Biden administrations.
In Israel, the fight against terrorism has been ongoing since the country’s founding, facing threats from various extremist groups funded by Iran. The strategy known as the “ring of fire” aims to encircle Israel with hostile forces. While Israel has been successful in defeating groups like Hamas, the challenge lies in preventing the recruitment of new generations of terrorists. The proximity of the threat to Israel’s existence poses a unique challenge compared to the U.S.’s fight against terrorism.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Charles Moore emphasized the importance of ousting Hamas from Gaza for Israeli security, but also stressed the need for long-term comprehensive strategies. This includes improving living conditions and establishing regional economic cooperation to ensure lasting peace. Moore and IDF veteran Jonathan Conricus highlighted Iran’s role in funding terrorist organizations and called for a stronger approach to deter Tehran’s support for extremism.
Efforts to address the proliferation of terrorist organizations include forming a coalition of willing countries to unite against Iran and Islamic extremism. An emphasis on de-radicalizing Gaza and ending the cycle of violence through diplomatic and leadership initiatives is seen as crucial. Israel recently agreed to a cease-fire proposal to end the fighting in Gaza, but Hamas has yet to agree to the plan. Conricus argued that Israel’s fight against terrorism will continue until groups like Hamas are eradicated from Gaza, as the stakes for Israel are existential.
