For the past 17 years, much of American national security has been focused on preventing another terrorist attack. To that end, the United States has invested countless resources in battling ISIS, the Taliban, and other forms of extreme terrorism around the globe.

In December, President Donald J. Trump announced he was pulling 2,000 American troops out of Syria and 7,000 American troops out of Afghanistan, signaling his belief that the war on terror has been won. These decisions were not supported by many military and intelligence officials – Secretary of Defense James Mattis publicly resigned in response – who believe continued military involvement is necessary to ensure stability.

So, what happens now? How has the war on terror evolved over the years – and are we able to declare an end to this war? How will these decisions affect not only American military efforts, but those of our allies? And, what steps need to be taken to continue to protect our national security against threats?

Join the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the City Club of Cleveland, Global Cleveland, International Partners in Mission, and the Northeast Ohio Consortium for Middle Eastern Studies (NOCMES) for a conversation with Joshua A. Gelzer, J.D., Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading voices in counterterrorism, about America’s continued war on terror.