The Trump administration has accused Europe of being an 'incubator' for terrorism fuelled by mass migration, in a new counter-terrorism strategy unveiled on Wednesday. The 16-page report, led by Trump ally Sebastian Gorka, also places drug cartels in the Americas at the centre of counter-terrorism efforts and targets 'violent left-wing extremists,' including 'radically pro-transgender' groups.
Europe Under Fire
The strategy reserves some of its strongest language for Europe, which hosts numerous US allies. 'It is clear to all that well-organised hostile groups exploit open borders and related globalist ideals. The more these alien cultures grow, and the longer current European policies persist, the more terrorism is guaranteed,' the document states. 'As the birthplace of Western culture and values, Europe must act now and halt its willful decline.'
While acknowledging European nations as the US's 'preeminent and long-term counterterrorism partners,' the report warns that 'the world is safer when Europe is strong, but Europe is greatly threatened and is both a terror target and an incubator of terror threats.' This fresh criticism follows Trump's earlier national security strategy, which claimed Europe faced 'civilizational erasure' due to immigration. Trump has also recently lashed out at European Nato allies for failing to support his war on Iran.
Focus on Drug Cartels
The strategy further entrenches drug cartels in the Americas as a central counter-terrorism concern. The administration has aggressively reshaped the western hemisphere region, including efforts to oust Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, dozens of US military strikes on alleged drug boats operated by cartels, and new pressure on Cuba's communist government. Since early September, the campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has killed at least 191 people.
Trump has pressed regional leaders to collaborate more closely with the US to target cartels and take military action against drug traffickers and transnational gangs, which he says pose an 'unacceptable threat' to hemispheric security. Gorka said officials would meet with allies later this week to discuss bolstering counter-terrorism strategies. 'As the president made very clear, we will measure your seriousness as a partner and ally by how much you bring to the table,' he told reporters, adding that the US expects 'more' from its partners.
Left-Wing Extremists Targeted
Left-wing groups remain a major preoccupation for the Republican administration. The strategy targets 'violent Left-Wing Extremists, including Anarchists and Anti-Fascists,' and says US counter-terrorism efforts will 'prioritize the rapid identification and neutralization of violent secular political groups whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.' Since returning to power, Trump has demonised recognition of gender diversity and transgender people, boasting about banning trans women from women's sports and signing an executive order proclaiming only two genders.
The strategy underscores the administration's hardline stance on migration, drug cartels, and leftist ideologies, signalling continued tension with European allies and a focus on domestic political targets.
