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Barack Obama says fight against Isis will be 'generational struggle' Barack Obama says fight against Isis will be 'generational struggle'
(35 minutes later)
Barack Obama has dubbed the US-led campaign against the Islamic State a “generational struggle” as he underscored the need to not just defeat the terrorist group on the ground but also to “discredit their ideology”.Barack Obama has dubbed the US-led campaign against the Islamic State a “generational struggle” as he underscored the need to not just defeat the terrorist group on the ground but also to “discredit their ideology”.
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“This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort,” Obama said in remarks from the Pentagon on Monday. “Ideologies are not defeated by guns. They’re defeated with better ideas – a more attractive and more compelling vision.” “This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort,” Obama said in remarks from the Pentagon on Monday. “Ideologies are not defeated by guns. They’re defeated with better ideas – a more attractive and more compelling vision.
“This larger battle for hearts and minds is going to be a generational struggle,” he added. “It’s ultimately not going to be won or lost by the United States alone. It will be decided by the countries and communities that terrorists like Isil [an alternative acronym for Islamic State/Isis] target.”“This larger battle for hearts and minds is going to be a generational struggle,” he added. “It’s ultimately not going to be won or lost by the United States alone. It will be decided by the countries and communities that terrorists like Isil [an alternative acronym for Islamic State/Isis] target.”
Obama’s remarks followed a rare visit by the commander-in-chief to the Pentagon, where he was briefed by top national security and military officials on the ongoing US campaign against the Islamic State. The meeting also came after the United States was placed on high alert over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, amid repeated warnings of Isis-inspired attacks that did not materialize.Obama’s remarks followed a rare visit by the commander-in-chief to the Pentagon, where he was briefed by top national security and military officials on the ongoing US campaign against the Islamic State. The meeting also came after the United States was placed on high alert over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, amid repeated warnings of Isis-inspired attacks that did not materialize.
Related: Our media's Isis threat hype machine: government stenography at its worst | Trevor TimmRelated: Our media's Isis threat hype machine: government stenography at its worst | Trevor Timm
Obama acknowledged the threat posed by lone wolf terrorists, citing an attack in May when two gunmen opened fire outside a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas. The incident, for which Isis claimed responsibility but to which it has not been directly linked, was evidence that militant groups have successfully convinced “vulnerable people” both in the US and around the world to join their fight, Obama said. Obama acknowledged the threat posed by “lone wolf” terrorists, citing an attack in May when two gunmen opened fire outside a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas. The incident, for which Isis claimed responsibility but to which it has not been directly linked, was evidence that militant groups have successfully convinced “vulnerable people” both in the US and around the world to join their fight, Obama said.
Numerous individuals have been arrested across the country for plotting attacks inspired by Isis or attempting to join the group in Syria or Iraq, he added, while still pointing out that improvements to homeland security have successfully prevented another large-scale 9/11-style event.Numerous individuals have been arrested across the country for plotting attacks inspired by Isis or attempting to join the group in Syria or Iraq, he added, while still pointing out that improvements to homeland security have successfully prevented another large-scale 9/11-style event.
“The threat of lone wolves or small cells of terrorists is complex, it’s harder to detect and harder to prevent,” Obama said. “That means that we’re going to have to pick up our game to prevent these attacks.”“The threat of lone wolves or small cells of terrorists is complex, it’s harder to detect and harder to prevent,” Obama said. “That means that we’re going to have to pick up our game to prevent these attacks.”
To meet that objective, the president said the US government will step up efforts to counter Isis propaganda online and partner with Muslim communities who must reject the group’s “warped interpretations of Islam” and “the twisted thinking that draws vulnerable people into their ranks”.To meet that objective, the president said the US government will step up efforts to counter Isis propaganda online and partner with Muslim communities who must reject the group’s “warped interpretations of Islam” and “the twisted thinking that draws vulnerable people into their ranks”.
Obama also criticized the Republican-led US Senate for failing to confirm Adam Szubin, the president’s nominee to serve as undersecretary at the Treasury Department. If confirmed, Szubin would play a leading role in cracking down on illicit funding to groups like Isis.Obama also criticized the Republican-led US Senate for failing to confirm Adam Szubin, the president’s nominee to serve as undersecretary at the Treasury Department. If confirmed, Szubin would play a leading role in cracking down on illicit funding to groups like Isis.
Earlier on Monday, the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, lamented that Republicans had refused thus far to hold even a hearing, let alone a vote, on Szubin’s confirmation even though Obama nominated him in April.Earlier on Monday, the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, lamented that Republicans had refused thus far to hold even a hearing, let alone a vote, on Szubin’s confirmation even though Obama nominated him in April.
Although he did not lay out a shift in his administration’s strategy against Isis, Obama pledged to “do more” to train and equip moderate rebel forces in Syria. Responding to a question, the president also said there are “no current plans” to send additional US troops overseas but said he would “do whatever’s necessary to protect our homeland”.Although he did not lay out a shift in his administration’s strategy against Isis, Obama pledged to “do more” to train and equip moderate rebel forces in Syria. Responding to a question, the president also said there are “no current plans” to send additional US troops overseas but said he would “do whatever’s necessary to protect our homeland”.