National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster noted Thursday that President Trump will have the chance to build on earlier counterterrorism efforts on his Asia trip. He said Trump will reiterate three key counterterrorism components he noted in May—eliminate safe havens, combat terror funding, and discredit terror ideology.
“I think it’s time for us to recognize that there’s been significant progress on all three fronts,” McMaster said. “Raqqa and Mosul have been liberated and will soon no longer control territory and populations, as the United States has worked very hard with allies and partners to deny that safe haven and support base – in this case, to ISIS.” In addition, McMaster noted the opening of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to promote the cut off of terror funding, and he praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s speech in which he promoted “moderate Islam.”
McMaster said Trump will discuss strengthening partnerships at Association of Southeast Asian Nations 50th birthday party.
Asked by a reporter whether North Korea will be put back on the list as a state sponsor of terror, McMaster said it’s under consideration.
“[A] regime who murders someone in a public airport using nerve agent, and a despotic leader who murders his brother in that manner – I mean, that’s clearly an act of terrorism that fits in with a range of other actions,” he said. “Our determination to ensure that North Korea is unable to threaten our allies and our partners and, certainly, the United States.”
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