Two leaders of the 9/11 commission are calling for a new strategy to halt the spread of violent extremism.
Thomas Kean, the former governor of New Jersey, served as chairman of the 9/11 Commission. Lee Hamilton, a former House lawmaker from Indiana, served as vice chairman. They made their remarks in a column posted by The Hill on Tuesday.
They maintained the global fight against terrorism has reached a “critical phase.”
“The eviction of the Islamic State from territory it once held in Iraq and Syria and the beginning of negotiations in Afghanistan are significant achievements,” they wrote. “Yet these tactical victories should not be construed as strategic success. We are defeating terrorists, but extremism thrives.”
Kean and Hamilton said that since 2001, “the number of Salafi-jihadist groups has more than doubled; their membership has tripled; and they are present in more countries than ever.”
“To stop endless wars and to protect America a new approach is needed – one that seeks to prevent extremism from taking root in the first place by addressing the conditions that enable it to spread,” they said.
The two noted Congress asked the U.S. Institute of Peace to develop a comprehensive plan. And they said the principal recommendation should be to “strengthen vulnerable states and societies so they can better defend themselves.”
“Open-ended military intervention and nation-building are neither effective nor sustainable. Prevention is a counterterrorism policy for the long haul.”
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