It has been nearly 20 years since the U.S. launched a war on terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11. 

During that time, Tom Porter served in the Navy Reserve in both Afghanistan and the Arabian Gulf. Porter is currently executive vice president of Government Affairs at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Capital Tonight spoke with Porter about the success of America’s War on Terror and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“As someone who witnessed the 9/11 attacks on that day in Washington D.C. and lived right next to the Pentagon and watched it burn that night, I know it was absolutely worth it,” Porter said. “We had to go in there. I had to go.”

According to Porter, the U.S. was able to deny terrorist groups the ability to launch attacks from Afghanistan. 

“Whether that continues to be the success that it has been has yet to be determined,” Porter said. “I fear, and a lot of others do, that Afghanistan now can be a welcome mat for terrorist groups.”