Committed to the Afghan Mission

Posted: April 6th, 2017

By Congressman Will Hurd

Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. He serves as Vice Chair of the Maritime and Border Security Subcommittee on the Committee for Homeland Security, and as the Chairman of the Information Technology Subcommittee on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Hurd is a former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur, and cybersecurity expert.

The Cipher Brief spoke with Representative Will Hurd, R-Tex., about what more the U.S. can do to improve security and the economy in Afghanistan. Hurd believes that an improved Afghan Air Force and more Afghan Special Forces “would really put the Taliban on the run.” As well, Hurd says, the U.S. should put more attention and focus on building “a true Afghan economy.”

The Cipher Brief: According to many reports, the Taliban controls more territory in Afghanistan than at any point since November 2001. What more can the Afghan government and Afghan Security Forces do to beat back Taliban advances? What role can the U.S. and coalition forces play in aiding this effort?

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