Ending the longest war in American history

Having succeeded in displacing Al Qaeda, our focus seems to have shifted from national security to one of nation building in a country inherently resistant to the notion of a strong central government. A nation building mission in Afghanistan could take generations – with no guarantee of success. With systemic illiteracy, insufficient infrastructure, limited judiciary functions and significant law enforcement challenges, the basic fundamentals of the rule of law do not yet exist in Afghanistan.

Our first priority should be the men and women who keep us safe. They have done their job. They are to be commended and respected for their efforts to preserve and promote freedom. Our resources must be reserved for use in situations where actionable intelligence suggests a clear and present danger.

The current war on terror is a worldwide problem that extends far beyond the borders of Afghanistan. The demands of a global battle cannot be met by concentrating resources in this one region indefinitely. We must begin the process of letting go and pulling back.

As we transition to a new and different kind of war, we need a new National Intelligence Estimate to provide updated data for members of Congress to review. The last such report, produced in 2009, helped me reach the conclusion that the threat in Afghanistan did not justify the continued concentration of 100,000 troops in that country. An updated National Intelligence Estimate is a critical component to properly assess where to go next in the fight against terrorism.

I believe the data will show that our emphasis must shift to intelligence gathering and to the use of highly mobile special forces units. In the successful effort to hunt down and kill Osama bin Laden, intelligence and special forces were key. This battle requires a nimble and agile force with a capacity for rapid response anywhere in the world. It requires integration and cooperation between intelligence-gathering entities. Multiple agencies were instrumental in finding and tracking Osama bin Laden. Such operations can transform the way intelligence is gathered, analyzed, and acted upon.

In a post-bin Laden world, we need to understand exactly what threat still exists in Afghanistan, where the threat has moved, and how to best respond. I support drawing down the existing troops in Afghanistan, setting clear military objectives, and transitioning our resources to most effectively address the current threats to our national security.