US labels Europe 'incubator' of terrorism over immigration in new counterterror strategy
Agencies
The Trump administration unveiled a new counterterrorism strategy that accuses Europe of becoming a 'breeding ground' for terrorism because of mass immigration. The document also places Latin American drug cartels at the center of U.S. counterterror efforts and targets 'violent far-left extremists.'
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on March 5 released a new counterterrorism strategy that charges Europe with becoming a 'breeding ground' for terrorism because of mass immigration. The 16-page strategy was drafted under the direction of Sebastian Gorka, a close Trump ally.
The strategy also focuses on eliminating 'violent far-left extremists,' including groups that 'strongly support transgender rights,' as the conservative Trump administration intensifies its political attacks on the opposition. In addition, the document places Latin American drug cartels at the heart of U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
The harshest language in the strategy is reserved for Europe, home to many of America’s allies, who will be alarmed to see the continent once again under fire from the Trump administration. The strategy emphasizes: 'It is clear to all that organized hostile groups exploit open borders and the associated globalization ideals. The more these foreign cultures grow and the longer Europe’s current policies persist, the more terrorism is guaranteed.'
The strategy states: 'As the cradle of Western culture and values, Europe must act immediately and end its willful decline.' The report, overseen by counterterrorism coordinator Sebastian Gorka, argues that European nations remain America's 'foremost and long-standing counterterrorism partners' but asserts: 'The world is safer when Europe is strong, but Europe is under serious threat and is both a target and breeding ground for terrorist threats.'
This fresh criticism of Europe comes just months after Trump’s new National Security Strategy declared the old continent faces 'civilizational destruction' due to immigration. More recently, Trump has also attacked European NATO allies for failing to support America’s fight against Iran.
The Trump administration has taken aggressive steps to reshape the Western Hemisphere, including ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, dozens of U.S. military airstrikes targeting drug cartel vessels, and new pressure on Cuba’s communist government. The campaign to sink alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin American waters since early September has killed at least 191 people.
At the same time, Trump is pressing regional leaders to cooperate more closely with the U.S. in targeting gangs and unilaterally taking military action against drug traffickers and transnational cartels he calls an 'unacceptable threat' to hemispheric national security.
Gorka said administration officials will meet with allies this week to discuss bolstering counterterror strategies. 'As the president has made very clear, we will measure your seriousness as partners and allies by what you bring to the table,' he told reporters, adding that the U.S. expects 'more' from its partners.
Left-wing groups remain a major preoccupation for the Trump administration, and the strategy targets what it calls 'violent far-left extremists, including anarchists and anti-fascists.' The document says U.S. counterterror efforts will 'prioritize the rapid identification and neutralization of violent secular political groups that are anti-American, extremely pro-transgender, and anarchist in ideology.'
Since returning to power, Trump has vociferously denounced any recognition of gender diversity and transgender individuals. He frequently boasts that his administration has banned transgender women from women’s sports and, immediately after taking office, signed an executive order declaring only two genders exist.
