As the dire situation in Afghanistan continues to unfold, the safe and prompt evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies remains a critical challenge and an urgent priority for the Biden Administration.

In this call leading senior former officials and experts discuss the urgent policies, posture and operations needed to ensure a rapid, safe evacuation in the days and weeks ahead. This call also addresses a wide range of other critically important issues, including the long-term implications for US alliances, particularly NATO, and what effective US policy options are available to the United States for setting its relationship with a Taliban-led Afghanistan. Also central to this discussion is the nature of any renewed terrorist threats from a reconstituted Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups who may seek safe haven in Afghanistan, and the most effective homeland defense and counterterrorism policies and posture in this new environment.

A discussion with

General James L. Jones
Former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States
Atlantic Council Executive Chairman Emeritus
Chairman, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council

Lord George Robertson
Former Secretary General, NATO
Member, International Advisory Board, Atlantic Council

Amb. James B. Cunningham
Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan
Nonresident Senior Fellow, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council

Kirsten Fontenrose
Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, Atlantic Council
Former Senior Director for the Gulf, National Security Council

Evanna Hu
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council

Moderated by

Barry Pavel
Senior Vice President and Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council