US Joint Chiefs Chairman Warns of Increased US Terror Risk Due to Taliban's 'Afghan Recontrol'

Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is speaking about the situation in Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrawal during a press briefing held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on July 21 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Islamic militant group Taliban has regained control of the Afghan government, raising concerns about an increased risk of terrorism against the United States.

Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, mentioned during a phone briefing with senators the previous day that terrorist groups like al-Qaeda could rebuild in Afghanistan much faster than previously expected due to the current situation, according to reports from AP and DPA on the 16th (local time).

Senior U.S. Department of Defense officials had previously projected in June that if U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, extremist groups such as al-Qaeda could reorganize within two years and pose a threat to the U.S. mainland.

As the Taliban rapidly reestablishes control over the Afghan government, the restructuring of terrorist groups is also expected to accelerate. Other terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda may secure safe havens under the Taliban regime.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy stated, "Once the evacuation issues (of civilians and others in Afghanistan) are resolved, our focus will shift to counterterrorism efforts," emphasizing that the U.S. must ensure it has the capability to track whether al-Qaeda is reorganizing.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with NBC, "We have significant capabilities to respond to the reemerging terrorist threat in Afghanistan."

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