As the terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan — such as the recent ISIS-K attack in Moscow — continue to evolve, they could pose increased risks to U.S. national security interests as well as international security. USIP convened a senior study group to evaluate U.S. counterterrorism policy options following withdrawal from Afghanistan. The group’s final report highlights how a terrorist incident in or emanating from Afghanistan or Pakistan could trigger a regional or international crisis, undermine U.S. alliances, and derail attention from strategic competition. To avoid such a situation, the report offers preventive, sustainable measures that preserve national security interests without taking focus away from global strategic competition.

On May 14, USIP launched the senior study group’s final report. The conversation looked at lessons learned from 20 years of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as examined a forward looking, cost-effective and sustainable approach for U.S. counterterrorism policy.

Speakers

Asfandyar Mir 
Senior Expert, South Asia, USIP

Laurel Miller 
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Asia Foundation

Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata (ret.) 
Strategic Advisor and Senior Vice President, CACI International Inc.

Tamanna Salikuddin, moderator
Director, South Asia Programs, USIP
 

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