Will the ongoing war on terror ever end?

Will the ongoing war on terror ever end?

Nearly 19 years after 9/11, thousands of US troops have been stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf states and the Horn of Africa. In addition, the United States has targeted suspected terrorist leaders with the help of drone strikes in remote areas of the world, and counter-terrorism budgets have increased exponentially in view of the existing terrorist threats.

Sasha Howellick, CEO of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, has been watching the war since its inception. He believes that there is a big difference between rhetoric and reality.

 The rhetoric ceased after Barack Obama came to power in 2009, but in reality there was much more continuity in the tactics of the war on terror.

Announcing the start of the "war on terror" at the time, President Bush said  "either with us or against us."

Given the nuances of changing alliances and loyalties in the Middle East, there is no room for a middle ground.

Iraq, which was invaded by the United States and Britain in 2003, has become a potential ally because of its tough strategy, and has laid the groundwork for a global jihadist movement today.

It is well known that the Obama administration has greatly increased drone strikes. The number of drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for example, has increased and now that we are talking about 'America first' and I think there is a widespread feeling that this work is coming to an end.

But we have, in fact, seen a steady increase in US counter terrorism operations.