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Some label counterterrorism operations the key to keeping America safe. Others call them endless wars. But nearly two decades after 9/11, al Qaeda, ISIS, and related groups have more territory, more fighters, and more capabilities. The time has come to dump the existing US counterterrorism strategy and focus on how to win the fight, long term, for good. In her final report on counterterrorism and the Salafi-jihadi movement, AEI Resident Fellow Katherine Zimmerman argues that winning the “forever war” means reframing the counterterrorism fight, downgrading hard power and adding soft power. Zimmerman explains that we will never kill every Salafi-jihadi. We will never win an ideological battle against the movement’s hard core. We must deny them the territory they have arrogated to themselves: the vulnerable communities throughout the Sunni world.
Zimmerman’s key points include:
Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and other like-minded groups are part of the Salafi-jihadi movement, which seeks to destroy the world order. Terrorism is a means to this end. But
The US must reframe its approach to defeat al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and other groups.
With the help of partners, the US must sever the ties of the Salafi-jihadi movement to local Sunni communities.
The full report is available here: Beyond counterterrorism: Defeating the Salafi-jihadi movement
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