What should the strategy in the area be after we withdraw from Afghanistan? Three things:
- Play the role of the spoiler. Ally ourselves with any group that opposes the Taliban, in much the same way we “took” Afghanistan back in 2001.
- Maintain a special operations and drone presence in the area to prevent Al Qaeda from reforming in Afghanistan.
- Take advantage of the opportunity to finally realize the dividend afforded by the end of the Cold War. Cut the US defense budget, currently more than the rest of the world combined, by half.