Three years after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Israel reflects on the lessons learned from the War on Terror.

On Friday, the U.S. commemorated its third anniversary of leaving Afghanistan and ending the 20-year war, but there are still uncertainties about the lessons learned from the U.S. War on Terror and how they can be applied to Israel's struggle against Islamic extremism.

The collapse of Kabul to the Taliban and the subsequent killing of 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans by ISIS-K terrorists on Aug. 26, 2021, left a dark stain on the already chaotic end of the U.S.'s longest war.

The U.S.'s strategy in countering al Qaeda and Islamic extremism in general has been questioned by Americans.

In his address to the nation on Aug. 31, 2021, President Biden addressed the questions that arose after the U.S. concluded the war in Afghanistan by reminding the public of the reason behind the invasion. He stated, "The purpose of our presence in Afghanistan was to eliminate the threat posed by Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, who carried out the 9/11 attacks and had their base in the country."

"Biden stated that justice was served to bin Laden on May 2nd, 2011, over a decade ago. Al Qaeda was destroyed, and it was time to put an end to the war, according to him."

The U.S. aimed to "decimate" al Qaeda, end Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and establish a democratic government in its place through a decadeslong effort.

Despite being significantly weakened, al Qaeda has found sanctuary in Afghanistan due to the failed U.S. efforts to counter the Taliban across multiple administrations.

The Taliban gained traction in the country prior to the Trump administration's February 2020 deal with the insurgent group. Despite this, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was pushed forward by both the Trump and Biden administrations. This decision was ultimately determined to be the result of an "intelligence failure."

The conclusion of the War on Terror sparked a renewed discussion about whether militant groups, including Islamic terrorists, can be defeated through kinetic warfare, a question that Israel has long struggled with.

Israel has been under constant threat of existence since its inception, initially from government-sponsored militias called fedayeen, followed by the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and later by Hamas, Hezbollah, and other extremist groups.

Nearly two dozen terrorist organizations, funded by Iran, are currently threatening Israel from various locations including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, with the goal of surrounding the Jewish state in a "ring of fire" strategy.

According to Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and current senior fellow for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, militant groups can be defeated, and Israel is currently defeating Hamas.

How can hearts and minds be persuaded and changed, and the scourge of extremist Islamism be defeated, as the IDF veteran questioned?

The biggest challenge facing Israel and any nation looking to stamp out extremism is stopping the next generation of terrorists, as these groups are quick to recruit and refill their ranks, said Conricus, who served in the IDF for 24 years.

"It's a long, long battle," he said.

The major difference between the U.S. and Israel's fight against terrorism is their proximity to the threat.

"Conricus stated, "We are fighting for our very existence, and Israel is leading the charge.""

Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. However, the figure does not differentiate between civilian and terrorist deaths. Additionally, 700 Israeli soldiers and approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians have also been killed.

The high level of Palestinian civilian casualties in Israel has been met with international criticism, and it has been noted that Jerusalem's aggressive tactics contribute to sympathetic tendencies that lead to recruitment efforts by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Despite opposition to the war in Gaza, removing Hamas from the region is vital for Israeli security, according to retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Charles Moore.

"The immediate threat to Israel's population must be eliminated through decisive military action, which is the short-term strategy."

To ensure "fair and lasting peace," a governing body must be established in Gaza after the fighting stops, with the immediate goal of improving living conditions and promoting regional economic cooperation.

"Moore stated that Israel and the United States must collaborate on a long-term, comprehensive, and multi-dimensional approach to address the root causes of radicalization. This approach should involve utilizing advanced intelligence, technological innovation, regional cooperation/agreements, and addressing socio-economic factors."

Another significant factor contributing to the spread of terrorist groups that endanger Israel and its allies is Iran.

Both Moore and Conricus contended that the U.S., its allies, and Israel should adopt a more stringent approach to Tehran by imposing stricter sanctions and employing other political and military-based measures to prevent Iran from continuing to fund terrorist organizations.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been given ample time, leisure, and resources to establish and fund terror organizations, and to arm them, according to an IDF veteran, who advocates for a complete reevaluation of Israel's approach to Iran.

To achieve safety, prosperity, rule of law, and security in the region, Israel must not only defeat Hamas militarily but also have a vision for the day after in Gaza and ensure its return.

Conricus suggested that a coalition of "willing countries" in the region should be formed to counter Iran and end Islamic extremism, with a focus on "de-radicalizing the Gaza Strip." This initiative was first launched by the Trump administration under the Abraham Accords and has been continued by the Biden administration.

"Conricus stated that with vision, leadership, and diplomacy, it is possible. However, the success of the situation depends on Israeli diplomatic capabilities. Nevertheless, it is imperative that there is U.S. leadership."

Israel agreed to a cease-fire proposal put forward by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar that could end the fighting in Gaza, but Hamas has not yet agreed to the plan.

The mediators are keeping the details of their proposal secret, but there are indications that efforts to reconcile Israeli and Hamas demands may not be sufficient to convince the terrorist group to cooperate.

Hamas' eradication from Gaza is necessary for Israel to stop its direct and immediate fight against terrorism, according to Conricus.

"Unlike in the U.S., it's a zero-sum game - we either fight and survive or don't exist, as that is the goal of our enemies," he stated.