As the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, President Joe Biden is facing scrutiny over his administration’s handling of counterterrorism efforts. Critics argue that Biden has not done enough to combat terrorism, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
One area of concern is the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, leaving behind billions of dollars in military equipment and a power vacuum that has allowed the Taliban to reassert control. This has raised concerns about the safety of Americans and allies in the region, as well as the potential for terrorist groups to take advantage of the situation.
Another issue is the Biden administration’s handling of Iran, which has been accused of supporting terrorist groups in the region. Critics argue that Biden has not been tough enough on Iran, and that his administration’s attempts to revive the Iran nuclear deal have sent a signal to Tehran that it can get away with bad behavior.
In addition, there are concerns about the Biden administration’s ability to detect and prevent terrorist plots. In recent years, there have been several high-profile failures, including the January 2020 plot to attack the West Coast and the December 2021 plot to attack the White House. Critics argue that these failures demonstrate a lack of focus and resources dedicated to counterterrorism efforts.
Finally, there are concerns about the Biden administration’s lack of clarity on its counterterrorism strategy. In 2021, the administration released a national counterterrorism strategy that focused primarily on combating white supremacy and domestic terrorism, rather than international terrorism. Critics argue that this narrow focus has left the U.S. vulnerable to threats from international terrorist groups.
Despite these concerns, the Biden administration argues that it has made significant progress in combating terrorism. The administration has taken credit for several high-profile counterterrorism operations, including the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and the disruption of several terrorist plots. The administration has also emphasized its efforts to build partnerships with international partners to combat terrorism.
Ultimately, the question of whether Biden has done enough on terror is a matter of debate. While the administration has taken some significant steps, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the growing threat of international terrorism. As the U.S. looks to the future, it will be important to develop a comprehensive and effective counterterrorism strategy that addresses the evolving nature of the terrorist threat.
