Morning Bell: After bin Laden

Mike Brownfield / May 23, 2011

Days after the death of Osama bin Laden, two men were arrested in New York City as they attempted to purchase a hand grenade, guns and ammunition for an attack on a Manhattan synagogue while disguised as Orthodox Jews. It was one of at least 39 terrorist plots against the United States that have been foiled since 9/11. And though the attack was averted and bin Laden is lying dead in a watery grave, the terrorism threat remains, and much must be done to continue ensuring America’s defense in a post-bin Laden world.

The primary front in the global war against terrorists remains the war in Afghanistan. And as if the world needed another reminder of the challenges there, news came this morning that a roadside bomb killed four NATO soldiers in east Afghanistan today, the latest in a surge of violence brought on by the Afghan Taliban’s “spring offensive.” It is clear that though bin Laden’s death may have been a turning point in the fight against global terrorism, the Taliban, al-Qaeda and its affiliates will not dissolve immediately.

Retreating from Afghanistan would be a mistake. The Heritage Foundation’s Lisa Curtis explains the dangers of retreat and the best way forward:

Any arbitrary U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan would open the door for the Taliban to regain influence in the region and allow al-Qaeda and its affiliate organizations to regroup and revitalize. The U.S. instead needs to press its advantage in Afghanistan and demonstrate that it is committed to helping ensure long-term stability in the region. (more…)