Arabs Warn Biden: The War on Terrorism is not Over

by Khaled Abu Toameh
July 20, 2021 at 5:00 am

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17578/arabs-warn-biden-afghanistan

Translations of this item:

Portuguese

The Arabs are saying that the Americans are mistaken if they think that the war on terrorism will end with the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan.
Adib warned that the US will pay the price for its exit from Afghanistan. "The cost of the withdrawal will be greater and more dangerous for America and the entire world," he said. "Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are preparing to establish a state whose features will be close to those of ISIS. The threat of ISIS is still there and its cells are still spread everywhere." — Mounir Adib, Egyptian expert on Islamic movements and international terrorism, Annaharar.com, June 5, 2021.
[T]he threat of terrorism will grow because of the Americans' failure to consult with their allies in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.... — Mounir Adib, Annaharar.com, June 5, 2021.
"The biggest catastrophe is that Afghanistan will become the capital of terrorism again, and now we have the threat of Al-Qaeda making a comeback... after America's withdrawal from Afghanistan as these groups feel proud and victorious, which will push them to continue fighting against America and the Arabs and Europeans." — Mounir Adib, Annaharar.com, June 5, 2021.
"[T]he problem is that extremist and terrorist groups and political Islam do not know how to live without rivalry, and they do not like to live in peace and without enemies. It is true that the US military force diminished Al-Qaeda and destroyed the dream of ISIS to have its own state, but it did not eliminate the terrorist ideology...." — Bahaa Al-Awam, Syrian journalist and political analyst, Al-Ain, July 12, 2021.
"What makes matters worse is that the American withdrawal from the region will mark a victory in favor of political Islamic organizations...." — Bahaa Al-Awam, Al-Ain, July 12, 2021.
These Arabs are telling the Biden administration in no uncertain terms: US policies and actions are undermining your credibility among your allies and paving the way for the return of Islamic terrorist groups.

A growing number of Arabs are saying that the Americans are mistaken if they think that the war on terrorism will end with the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan. Pictured: Afghan Militiamen guard against the Taliban at an outpost in Balkh Province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Farshad Usyan/AFP via Getty Images)

As the United States prepares to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan by August 31, 2021, a growing number of Arabs are worried that the American move will not only bring the Taliban back to power there, but also lead to the re-emergence of other Islamist terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS).

The Arabs are saying that the Americans are mistaken if they think that the war on terrorism will end with the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan.

They are warning the US that it will pay a heavy price for allowing Afghanistan to fall into the hands of terrorist groups. They are also saying that they see no difference between the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and how these groups openly cooperate with each other.

Mounir Adib, an Egyptian expert on Islamic movements and international terrorism, pointed out that the Taliban had previously protected Al-Qaeda and even refused to hand over Osama bin Laden to the US while he was residing in Afghanistan, on the pretext that the Americans failed to prove his relationship to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"The Taliban refused to hand over the leader of Al-Qaeda and provided him with the protection that his group continues to enjoy today," Adib wrote.

"Intelligence reports confirmed that there is security and military cooperation between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, whose fighters fought together against the US forces over the past two decades. This means that the Taliban is committed to the core principles that it shares with Al-Qaeda. The danger of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban will continue to threaten the world."

Adib warned that the US will pay the price for its exit from Afghanistan. "The cost of the withdrawal will be greater and more dangerous for America and the entire world," he said. "Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are preparing to establish a state whose features will be close to those of ISIS. The threat of ISIS is still there and its cells are still spread everywhere."

According to the Egyptian expert, the threat of terrorism will grow because of the Americans' failure to consult with their allies in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, regarding the war on terrorism.

In a more recent article, Adib ridiculed the US administration for its readiness to negotiate with Taliban:

"America entered Afghanistan two decades ago in order to eliminate the rule of Taliban... Now, America is negotiating with them. Most of the intelligence reports say that Taliban will extend its political and military control over all Afghan lands. The Americans are leaving Afghanistan despite Taliban's embrace of Al-Qaeda. The American retreat in front of Taliban and Al-Qaeda confirms that we are facing a new scene through which Al-Qaeda may return to the forefront of jihadist action. The biggest catastrophe is that Afghanistan will become the capital of terrorism again, and now we have the threat of Al-Qaeda making a comeback. The battle of terrorism is witnessing a decline after America's withdrawal from Afghanistan as these groups feel proud and victorious, which will push them to continue fighting against America and the Arabs and Europeans."

Adib said that the Taliban succeeded in capturing new areas even before the departure of the American forces from Afghanistan. "This move aims to convey a message to the world that the American withdrawal was nothing but surrender and defeat," he remarked.

"The consequences of the withdrawal will appear within the first year of the withdrawal of the American forces, and Taliban will control Afghanistan completely within two years of it. America, through its policy, will restore the Taliban regime that it toppled twenty years ago, and is also rebuilding the capabilities of Al-Qaeda. America holds a confused vision in the face of terrorism that may portend dire consequences for the world."

Atef Al-Saadawi, an Egyptian expert in strategic and international affairs, warned that the war on terrorism is not over. Saadawi said that ISIS continues to pose a serious threat to security and stability of the world.

"The danger of ISIS is still present," he noted. "The belief that ISIS is finished, and making decisions based on this wrong assumption, are the greatest gift that can be given to this terrorist organization."

Therefore, Al-Saadawi added, "there is a great responsibility of the international coalition to fight ISIS, and the continuation of this alliance should not be a matter of discussion, and its mission should not be affected by the change of the US administration."

Saadawi scoffed at President Joe Biden's statements that the US has achieved its goals in combating the terrorist threat in Afghanistan.

"How can you claim that you have succeeded in combating terrorism without building a nation that incubates moderate ideology and provides a decent living that prevents people from embracing extremists?" he asked.

"While Biden expressed confidence in the ability of the Afghan army to confront the Taliban, he admitted that the Taliban is trying to exploit the American withdrawal and expand its control over the country. The return of the Taliban to control the situation in Afghanistan means a possible and undesirable return of Al-Qaeda and its terrorism and threats to the entire world. Any future government in Afghanistan in which the Taliban participates could contain elements of Al-Qaeda, which will give a huge morale boost to this terrorist organization and help it regroup once again. All indications are that chaos and instability are about to happen in Afghanistan."

Saudi writer Amal Abdel Aziz Al-Hazani said that there is increased concern that the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are on their way to controlling Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.

Hazani said that the Taliban's seizure of many areas in Afghanistan shows that the country is about to witness "major transformations."

"The US forces are about to leave completely by the end of August, leaving behind the Taliban at the top of their ascendancy, and an Afghan government that is resisting the group's return to power," Hazani wrote. "Everyone is terrified. The proposed scenarios are multiple, the worst of which is the outbreak of a civil war between the government and the Taliban and ISIS, and the return of Al-Qaeda to threaten the world again."

Syrian journalist and political analyst Bahaa Al-Awam criticized the US administration for "trying to convince the world that the terrorists it has been fighting for years can be negotiated with and dealt with as political groups worthy of access to power."

Awam said that the US was mistaken to believe that "the reconciliation with the incubators of terrorism will stop the production of terrorists, and peace will prevail in the Middle East and the world."

"But the problem is that extremist and terrorist groups and political Islam do not know how to live without rivalry, and they do not like to live in peace and without enemies. It is true that the US military force diminished Al-Qaeda and destroyed the dream of ISIS to have its own state, but it did not eliminate the terrorist ideology, nor did it uproot terrorism from its roots. What makes matters worse is that the American withdrawal from the region will mark a victory in favor of political Islamic organizations, and the victor always attracts attention and becomes the focus of public attention."

These are the alarm bells that many Arabs are sounding, loud and clear. They seem to urgently hope that the US administration will wake up to the fact that the war on Islamist terrorism is far from over and will not end after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. These Arabs are telling the Biden administration in no uncertain terms: US policies and actions are undermining your credibility among your allies and paving the way for the return of Islamic terrorist groups.

Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.

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Comment on this item

35 Reader Comments

Tim ODonnell • Jul 24, 2021 at 19:09

I wonder when we will be allowed to win a war?

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Peter Rotberg • Jul 23, 2021 at 11:46

Dear Brother Khaled
Would you please instruct my ignorant self as to where are those mysterious Arabs who are fighting terror and suggest Biden to do it as well?
May the Lord show us the Truth - that only He knows .
Peter Rotberg.
Freind and supporter.

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Prof. Jack V. Simogwa • Jul 23, 2021 at 04:43

That said and done, why don't the Arabs themselves deal with the Taliban, etc? It is a local issue, but when and if it becomes an international issue, the Arabs CAN and SHOULD request for international help. Don't you think charity begins at home?

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Bull Herman

Prof. Jack V. Simogwa • Jul 24, 2021 at 23:34

For Arabs to attack their own, and especially if Muslim, there's gotta be a jihadian cassus belli.

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Mikial

Bull Herman • Jul 25, 2021 at 20:05

Or they simply have to be from different sects such as Shia vs Sunni. They've been slaughtering each other for centuries.

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Leon Poddebsky • Jul 20, 2021 at 23:53

"The Clash of 'civilisations'" hypothesis continually receives validation, as does the view that the USA, with all its grave domestic problems, its lapsing into flaccid "liberalism"/ "progressivism" internationally, is a declining power, though still not in its final throes.

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The Istanbulian • Jul 20, 2021 at 22:18

Then maybe the Arabs should do something about it. Afghanistan is an Arab colony.

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Mikial • Jul 20, 2021 at 20:38

We have been "in" Afghanistan for 20 years. I have been there three times myself (Kabul, Helmond, Kandahar, Jalalabad) and seen the carnage first hand. How many hundreds of American lives (both troops and contractors) have been wasted? How many billions of dollars has America wasted? Too many of both, especially given that we are seeing no value to our sacrifice. The people there will never change and the country will never be stable. Americans try to measure the world by their own experience in America, but Afghanistan is not America and the people there have no loyalty to a central government, especially one that they know is corrupt. Back in 2001 we should have driven the Taliban from power and then left and let them deal with their own country because it is impossible to ever turn a place like that into a Democracy. Should we leave now? Who can say what the results might be either way, but the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If we haven't accomplished anything in the past 20 years, I doubt staying there would make any difference.

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elias hagooli • Jul 20, 2021 at 18:09

After all these expenditures by Soviet and NATO- The solution has always been the same----and less costly to all---including Afghanistan , The problem with Afghanistan is that Taliban has an "Inshallah" mentality--meaning they will simply wait months and years or even decades--- time frame that the West can never adhere to . Meanwhile , just as before women's rights are being trampled in the Islamic world---and worse - the past will show it's face -- but this time they will not fear the US or Russia returning with their allies--but the past solution will now be more costly but still the only viable one---simple--China has 1.4 billion population --it can easily overwhelm Taliban and establish some sense of control over radical elements . China should be enticed that Afghanistan has huge mineral mines and other rare metals that has not been touched ( therefore - worthwhile for populating Afghanistan with Chinese---and yes China does have a small border with Afghanistan---they can simply march in and have huge number of Chinese settle ( for a population of 1.4 billion Chinese-- they can easily settle a few million Chinese---what the West never could do---and yes--Taliban fears China---they see them as ruthless---and at least respect for women's rights will be better under Chinese dominance---all the above---nothing new--this solution was available in 1975---long before the nightmares ---but why was it not implemented when clearly it should have been the chosen policy---simple--once again the narrow tunnel vision of the so called educated with several degrees----but none have good and balanced common sense or have the mentality of approaching those who could have given them better choice---but now---the other danger will become clear--Taliban can reenergize the radicals---and this time in Europe--

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jule • Jul 20, 2021 at 16:55

All this is true but we cannot just fight it away. Leaders of some countries of Islam have to redefine their theology as to what Allah actually wants. The Qur'an is a Warlord Manual for conquest and complete control of its members by fear and terror using ALLAH as authority and honoring its members who fight and force whatever tribal Muslim Warlord gets the most weapons, money and terrorises the most. The Abraham Accords for REAL normalising seems impossible but must be supported & encouraged to make CHANGES.

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Bull Herman

jule • Jul 24, 2021 at 23:37

That's really well explained.
IF islam could be modernized things could change. Problem is though currently all they want is to modernize their weapons.
Still you're correct in reasoning.

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RAS • Jul 20, 2021 at 12:56

Given 9/11, its expenditure of blood and treasure over two decades, the perfidy of Pakistan, the failure of Middle Eastern states themselves effectively to counter the intolerance in their own societies shown toward non-Muslims, America, I fear, if another catastrophic attack requires it to return to this "graveyard of empires," will do so to make the rubble bounce and glow green. There would be no talk of "winning hearts and minds," let alone trying to build democracy in a land that is no more than a conglomeration of warring tribes ruled by ignorance and misogyny.

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RAS • Jul 22, 2021 at 11:28

Less William Westmoreland; "grab 'em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow."

More Curtis E. Lemay; "When you have killed enough of them they will stop fighting."

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Bull Herman

RAS • Jul 24, 2021 at 23:41

I remember once that Pakistan was stable and an ally. Then following the Soviet's exit next door the quest to perfect Islam was turned to Pakistan.
After a series of assassinations it deteriorated, never looking back.

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Samer Ibrahim • Jul 20, 2021 at 12:37

This is an Islamic problem, and Muslims should solve this problem by themselves. This first, and second: why don't the Arab and Muslim countries send their military forces to Afghanistan, in order to defeat Taliban once and for all?

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Samer Ibrahim • Jul 20, 2021 at 13:24

The Emirs and petro-Sheikhs of the Gulf do not want to soil their garments in the slightest. Meanwhile, a good chunk of their restive populations side with the Jihadis and would be only too happy to join them if in-country. That was a huge problem the Americans found while in Afghanistan; far too many of the locals they trained as a defensive army ended up making their training (and stolen arms and equipment) available to the resurgent Taliban!

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David

Samer Ibrahim • Jul 21, 2021 at 09:23

Is this a conflict between Sunni & Shia? They are all Muslims with one end game, surely?

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j maccabee • Jul 20, 2021 at 12:07

Quarantine by the West. No university enrollments to learn technologies to kill citizens of Western style democracies. No modern military weapons or technology--an embargo. No credit or aid except for food (and I'd rather parachute it in to starving populations of Islamo-fascist-barbaric governments than see it resold to other terrorist failed states).
Remember the reason for the phrase in the Marine Hymn: "...to the shores of Tripoli." Quarantine. Embargo. For the same reasons. And Russia and Red China? Maybe? Iran, ISIS, the Taliban, and Hezbollah, certainly? Restore domestic industries and middle-class jobs? Pay a little more to American workers? "Make do" with well-made products like our mid-20th Century ancestors did during WWII and the recovery? Act like the American colonials and help one another in spite of our tendencies to fear the "other?"

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essy ghetzler • Jul 20, 2021 at 11:47

Re: "The cost of the withdrawal will be greater and more dangerous for America and the entire world,"

Then maybe it is time for the entire world to fill in when America withdraws. America has done more than her share of the heavy lifting

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Dorothy Davies • Jul 20, 2021 at 11:47

Terrorists can do nothing without arms so who is supplying them? It would be best for well-meaning leaders to get at the root of and deal with this matter then the Afghans might live in peace .... but are there any well-meaning leaders? People of real integrity? It doesn't look like it.

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af • Jul 20, 2021 at 10:41

One of the "joys" of being the leader of the free world. The US had to do the bulk of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the two wars against Iraq, the Cold War, and for 20 years, the War on terror.

The most direct effect of the scenario painted here is the resumption of terror launched from Afghanistan against the West. But it's also the fight to overthrow the governments of various Arab countries. Why don't they send forces to Afghanistan to combat the Taliban, Al Qaeda and ISIS? Why is it always the US who has to expend vast quantities of blood and treasure to combat these forces? If the moderate Arab states are capable, they should do it. If they're not capable, they should get capable.

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Stephen D Nadler • Jul 20, 2021 at 10:32

For two years (1965-67) I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer to Afghanistan working in 22 of 26 provinces assisting in implementing a governmental accounting system. It was a success. I know something about Afghans and Afghanistan. At that time their hospitality was amazing.

Only the US can organize and implement an international coalition (the "West" being Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. and the "East" being the Arab and Moslem countries, Japan and SE Asia) to combat/contain Islamic Terrorism. The Afghan people deserve the International Community to help it.

China, Iran, North Korea will take advantage of the chaos in Afghanistan.
The UN is a waste. So sad.

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james wilburn • Jul 20, 2021 at 10:24

Just like the old saying, "What goes around comes around." My only thought is that they don't want peace. There will be disagreements, they will go to war, ISSIS will cut heads off.

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David Walker • Jul 20, 2021 at 10:02

A resurgent Jihadi terrorist base in Afghanistan...
with covert assistance from the increasingly bellicose Chinese, no doubt.

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Kevin Topalian • Jul 20, 2021 at 09:54

Could the world please invite Russia and China to keep the peace in Afghanistan?

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Jeano

Kevin Topalian • Jul 20, 2021 at 18:17

Russia and China are already making overtures... to help themselves.

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elias hagooli

Kevin Topalian • Jul 20, 2021 at 21:57

China shares border with Afghanistan --China's population is 1.4 billion --Russia is less than 150 million and aging--China if enticed and let to even occupy Afghanistan is beneficial for all---Terrorism now has more deadly weapons and they have much less fear since they know that US will not engage again---Europe will be the big loser due to it's already problematic migrant crisis.

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Erica Ling • Jul 20, 2021 at 09:40

Those Arabs who used to consider America their partner against terrorism and extremism, the provider of sophisticated defence weapons and moral integrity, see the extremist mess America is becoming, and will turn to stronger support, Russia and China, thus diminishing America's influence even further. Israel is on its own. Lapid and co will be very foolish to tie themselves to a sinking ship.

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Harvey L • Jul 20, 2021 at 08:50

For years we have heard the same old rhetoric the US does not negotiate with terrorists, can Biden Blinken or any other member of their motley crew please explain what they are doing then? It seems to me the Biden administration is more interested in going after so called non existent domestic terrorists that is conservative American Trump supporters as after all Biden we are led to believe was so popular that 81 million people voted for him although he couldn't have a rally of more than a few hundred supporters.

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CR • Jul 20, 2021 at 08:35

The Gulf petrostates see America and her army sailing off into the sunset like the end of an old-school cowboy movie. Unfortunately, the story does not stop just because a large The End is being projected. Now KSA, UAE and the lot will have to step up in their own defense far more so than they are used to doing and it scares them.

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Bull Herman • Jul 20, 2021 at 06:43

I certainly agree with this. As this was the USSR's 'Nam so it became our own. Winning wasn't easy but inevitable. Afterwards it seems we failed to create something better. A reason for that is it's impossible to modify Islam so it's a decent neighbor.
The Islamist values lives go by are nowhere near ready nor willing to modernize.
Although I see CCP cuddling up to get at the minerals eventually the millions of Muslims held by China in camps will piss some imam off and it's jihad time. Again. Will these warlords have the stomach to go after the Red Chinese? I don't imagine so.

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bolt • Jul 20, 2021 at 06:34

How could anyone not understand in 2003 what would be the result and long-term effect of the elimination of Saddam Hussein? With all of his many defects, Hussein was still the most effective foil to Iranian aggression. So, what do we do to make things even worse? We enter into the "Iran Deal." Again, might want to follow the green—qui bono?

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Bull Herman

bolt • Jul 23, 2021 at 12:27

At one point Saddam toured the US and well respected in DC. In many aspects I understand why he pursued uranium and chemical weapons. During the war with Iran the US played both sides.
Besides the foiled plot to kill HW Bush, I'd like to know what really motivated Gulf War Part Two. Was Saddam too unpredictable? Uncontrollable? Was it Saddam's gassing his own? If so why not attack Iran then as well? I agree with your assessment.

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bolt

Bull Herman • Jul 24, 2021 at 19:53

The more things that have little substantive justification, the more I am convinced that the only real explanation is found by answering qui bono. You know what was already known. When we have a president who invades a ME country without a single ME expert among his group of advisors, what must we think?

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cammo99 • Jul 20, 2021 at 06:01

When did Obama, Clinton or Biden ever do anything to indicate they are engaged in the war on global terrorism? General McMaster's analysis of Obama and others strategic narcissism is correct. They are more interested in solidifying more power and money in the USA even if it involves compromising our election freedoms.

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