The United States is facing an ongoing threat from ISIS and Al-Qaida, despite years of counterterrorism efforts, according to Gregory D. LoGerfo, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the State Department’s top counterterrorism position. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, LoGerfo emphasized that extremist groups remain active and capable of inspiring attacks around the world.
“ISIS and Al-Qaida continue to recruit, radicalize, and encourage their followers globally to carry out attacks in their home countries,” he stated. He pointed to recent incidents of violence, such as the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, as evidence of the persistent danger posed by these organizations.
LoGerfo outlined the Trump administration’s strategy for preventing attacks, focusing on dismantling terrorist networks and holding accountable those who sponsor such groups. “The Trump administration is committed to preventing a major terrorist attack on the homeland,” he said, highlighting efforts that include disrupting terror networks, securing borders, and diminishing the capabilities of terrorist groups.
He noted that the current threat landscape differs significantly from the period following the September 11 attacks. “The terrorist threat we face today is different from what we faced following the September 11th attacks,” he remarked. Additionally, he warned that Iran and its proxies continue to be destabilizing forces in the region. “Although Iran has been greatly weakened, Tehran and its terrorist proxies, including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas, continue to destabilize the Middle East,” he added.
LoGerfo also mentioned that the U.S. is keeping a close watch on potential global threats, particularly those targeting “U.S. officials, journalists, Jewish targets, and Iranian dissidents.” He addressed the situation in Africa, where ISIS and Al-Qaida affiliates are expanding in the Sahel region, stressing the need for closer cooperation with regional and European partners. “When we share risk, we need to share the burden,” he asserted.
Regarding Afghanistan, LoGerfo confirmed that the U.S. continues to confront ISIS Khorasan, despite previous successes in tackling the group. He noted that U.S. assessments regarding ISIS and Al-Qaida remain aligned with India’s view that extremist networks continue to exist, despite territorial losses, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing global counterterrorism cooperation.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/more-news/international/united-states-warns-isis-threat-remains-despite-territorial-defeats
Category: International News
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-12-14 17:18:00
