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1/17 (Yep, 17. Sorry.)
This @washingtonpost op-ed yesterday by Christopher Miller is worth reading.
I honor Miller's current service as director of the NCTC & his military service.
But especially on #September11, I feel compelled to respond... https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/10/christopher-miller-9-11-anniversary-end-of-war-on-al-qaeda/
This @washingtonpost op-ed yesterday by Christopher Miller is worth reading.
I honor Miller's current service as director of the NCTC & his military service.
But especially on #September11, I feel compelled to respond... https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/10/christopher-miller-9-11-anniversary-end-of-war-on-al-qaeda/
2/
Let me start with a note of humility. Miller, of course, has current access to classified intel, and I don't.
He has done much to keep Americans safe, and I am grateful.
But here are some of his quotes from this piece, with a bit of commentary from me:
Let me start with a note of humility. Miller, of course, has current access to classified intel, and I don't.
He has done much to keep Americans safe, and I am grateful.
But here are some of his quotes from this piece, with a bit of commentary from me:
3/
Miller: AQ is “no longer capable of conducting large-scale attacks.”
It certainly seems true that an AQ "large-scale attack" on our homeland is less likely today due to amazing efforts since 9/11, but that is quite a definitive statement I would be reluctant to make.
Miller: AQ is “no longer capable of conducting large-scale attacks.”
It certainly seems true that an AQ "large-scale attack" on our homeland is less likely today due to amazing efforts since 9/11, but that is quite a definitive statement I would be reluctant to make.
4/
Miller: “It is essential for the United States to maintain focus in this final phase..."
Not sure we're in the “final” phase, but maintaining focus is exactly what we're not doing in Afghanistan & potentially Iraq & Syria.
Why does Miller feel a need to say that?
Miller: “It is essential for the United States to maintain focus in this final phase..."
Not sure we're in the “final” phase, but maintaining focus is exactly what we're not doing in Afghanistan & potentially Iraq & Syria.
Why does Miller feel a need to say that?
5/
Miller: “The defeat of these terrorists is near”
Hope he is right, but yikes. Not quite "mission accomplished" but almost. I think the Taliban is thinking the defeat of the Americans is near in Afghanistan.
Miller: “The defeat of these terrorists is near”
Hope he is right, but yikes. Not quite "mission accomplished" but almost. I think the Taliban is thinking the defeat of the Americans is near in Afghanistan.
6/
Miller: "experience has taught us that prematurely declaring 'mission accomplished,' as we did with the war in Iraq in 2003, is to invite this Hydra-like beast to regenerate."
Didn't he just essentially (almost) declare that?
Miller: "experience has taught us that prematurely declaring 'mission accomplished,' as we did with the war in Iraq in 2003, is to invite this Hydra-like beast to regenerate."
Didn't he just essentially (almost) declare that?
7/
Miller: “constant pressure must be maintained on terrorist groups that have the intent or capability to attack us.”
Exactly right. Here's what I wrote yesterday: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2020/09/10/competition-china-dont-abandon-middle-east/
Miller: “constant pressure must be maintained on terrorist groups that have the intent or capability to attack us.”
Exactly right. Here's what I wrote yesterday: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2020/09/10/competition-china-dont-abandon-middle-east/
8/
Miller: We're "now able to envision a future where terrorism is no longer the top national security priority..."
Say what? Directly contradicts the NDS: "Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U.S. national security.”
Miller: We're "now able to envision a future where terrorism is no longer the top national security priority..."
Say what? Directly contradicts the NDS: "Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U.S. national security.”
9/ Miller: “I don’t want to underestimate the challenges ahead.”
Maybe I am misreading the piece, but it feels to me that is exactly what Miller has done.
Maybe I am misreading the piece, but it feels to me that is exactly what Miller has done.
10/
Miller: “I am chastened by our failure to prevent the Islamic State’s rise from the ashes of al-Qaeda in Iraq.”
Exactly, yet we saw an announcement this week regarding a major drawdown in Iraq two months before a presidential election.
Lessons of 2011 withdrawal?
Miller: “I am chastened by our failure to prevent the Islamic State’s rise from the ashes of al-Qaeda in Iraq.”
Exactly, yet we saw an announcement this week regarding a major drawdown in Iraq two months before a presidential election.
Lessons of 2011 withdrawal?
11/
Miller: “Regardless, it is inevitable that the United States will continue to be attacked by Islamist fundamentalists who hate our freedoms and our values.”
Say what? He has effectively argued every side of the issue. Op-ed perhaps a product of interagency negotiation?
Miller: “Regardless, it is inevitable that the United States will continue to be attacked by Islamist fundamentalists who hate our freedoms and our values.”
Say what? He has effectively argued every side of the issue. Op-ed perhaps a product of interagency negotiation?
12/
Miller: “Al-Qaeda misgauged the United States’ enormous resolve and fortitude.”
Ok, but don't the Taliban/AQ know or believe this administration's "resolve and fortitude" in Afghanistan and potentially Iraq and Syria are flagging?
Miller: “Al-Qaeda misgauged the United States’ enormous resolve and fortitude.”
Ok, but don't the Taliban/AQ know or believe this administration's "resolve and fortitude" in Afghanistan and potentially Iraq and Syria are flagging?
13/
Miller: “Other individuals and groups who want to harm Americans should study our war against al-Qaeda: We will pursue terrorists to the ends of the Earth, never stopping until the job is done.”
Exactly right message, but must match w/ actions--meaning not just CT strikes
Miller: “Other individuals and groups who want to harm Americans should study our war against al-Qaeda: We will pursue terrorists to the ends of the Earth, never stopping until the job is done.”
Exactly right message, but must match w/ actions--meaning not just CT strikes
14/
If @realDonaldTrump follows thru, the actual lesson the Taliban/AQ may be learning now is be patient, tell the Americans what they want to hear, keep attacking their troops and partners, smile at @US4AfghanPeace, & the US will draw down & eventually leave.
If @realDonaldTrump follows thru, the actual lesson the Taliban/AQ may be learning now is be patient, tell the Americans what they want to hear, keep attacking their troops and partners, smile at @US4AfghanPeace, & the US will draw down & eventually leave.
15/ If you read what Osama bin Laden wrote in March 1997, it was a belief that Americans would run if killed that helped shape OBL's thinking in the lead up to the #September11 terror attacks.
We dare not take actions today to reinforce that terrorist belief.
We dare not take actions today to reinforce that terrorist belief.
16/
Once the U.S. military withdraws from Afghanistan, Islamist terrorists there will then be able to fully target the Afghan government and create the breathing space to launch international terrorist attacks on the US and our allies.
Once the U.S. military withdraws from Afghanistan, Islamist terrorists there will then be able to fully target the Afghan government and create the breathing space to launch international terrorist attacks on the US and our allies.
17/
Our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria are bravely preventing another #September11 attack on our country and a return of an ISIS caliphate. On this day, and every day, we owe our service members a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.
Our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria are bravely preventing another #September11 attack on our country and a return of an ISIS caliphate. On this day, and every day, we owe our service members a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.
