Friend –

As our nation pauses to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I wanted to reach out to the USGLC community to share a few thoughts.

Most of us still remember that day like it was yesterday, when it felt like the world stopped. I was on my way to the White House for a 9:30 a.m. meeting, which of course never took place. It was the early years of the USGLC, and I recall the many conversations in the days that followed – not only on how profoundly the attacks would transform our country but also recognizing how it would impact America’s role in the world for years to come.

Fast forward to these past several weeks. At USGLC, like so many, we have been intensely focused on the crisis in Afghanistan with so many emotions. Our primary focus has been to shine a spotlight on the urgency to get Americans to safety along with our Afghan allies who stood by our side to advance the U.S. mission over two decades. 

• In addition to the SIVs, who supported our military operations, we have focused attention on a less well-known group of allies: the Afghan partners – known as the “Priority 2” category – who supported U.S.-funded civilian programs through American NGOs and contractors, especially those that worked to empower women and girls.
  
  
• Not surprisingly, there has been strong bipartisan action on Capitol Hill in support of these Afghan allies with more than 300 Members of Congress joining letters and speaking out – including standing with those who served on U.S. civilian programs. See USGLC’s blog post.

Some of the strongest voices have come from the military who saw firsthand how invaluable these diplomatic and development efforts were for keeping us safe: 

• More than 600 veterans from the USGLC’s network spoke out in a message to the Administration calling for ongoing evacuations of our Afghan allies – both those who served with American organizations and as interpreters with the U.S. military.
  
  
• Former CENTCOM Commanders Generals Zinni and Petraeus and Admiral Fallon – who previously oversaw military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia – also called on Congress to protect those Afghan allies who served alongside our military and civilian partners, writing that these allies “have been vital for America’s national security.”

As we turn to what’s next, our engagement with policymakers hasn’t stopped, especially concerning ongoing humanitarian operations within Afghanistan.

For me, as I watched the U.S.-led evacuation of more than 120,000 people alongside the horrific attack on our service members, I am reminded of the complexities of what’s at stake. I am deeply concerned about the thousands of Afghan allies who remain in harm’s way, the growing refugee crisis, and rising instability in the region. As we learned 20 years ago this weekend, our world is small and America’s global engagement through diplomacy and development remains an imperative when it comes to our security.

There will be so many profound reflections on 9/11 this coming weekend – and I always welcome you taking a moment to let me know your own thoughts.

Thank you for being part of the USGLC family.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC