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Kerry: Corruption ‘destroys faith’ in authority, leads to extremism Kerry: Corruption ‘destroys faith’ in authority, leads to extremism
(about 7 hours later)
DAVOS, Switzerland — Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Friday that progress has been made in combating the Islamic State and violent extremism and called fighting government corruption an integral part of the battle. DAVOS, Switzerland — Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Friday that progress has been made in combating the Islamic State and violent extremism, and called fighting government corruption an integral part of the battle.
“Corruption is a radicalizer because it destroys faith in legitimate authority,” he said in a wide-ranging speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “It allows the predators to move in. And no one knows that better than violent extremist groups, who regularly use corruption as a recruitment tool.”“Corruption is a radicalizer because it destroys faith in legitimate authority,” he said in a wide-ranging speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “It allows the predators to move in. And no one knows that better than violent extremist groups, who regularly use corruption as a recruitment tool.”
Though much of his speech focused on the destabilizing influence of government malfeasance, Kerry also used the annual forum before corporate executives and world leaders to announce the United States will push for a 30 percent increase in international humanitarian aid to refugees and the displaced, up to $13 billion this year. Washington hopes to get at least 10 new nations to commit to regular contributions to refugee aid. Though much of his speech focused on the destabilizing influence of government malfeasance, Kerry also used the annual forum before corporate executives and world leaders to announce that the United States will push for a 30 percent increase in international humanitarian aid to refugees and the displaced, up to $13 billion this year. Washington hopes to get at least 10 new nations to commit to regular contributions to refugee aid.
But the largest part of his remarks was devoted to the national security implications of government corruption, a phenomenon he said robs the global economy of $2.6 trillion a year. He cited corruption in countries as diverse as Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Nigeria as causing civil unrest that ballooned into international crises. But the bulk of his remarks were devoted to the national security implications of government corruption, a phenomenon he said robs the global economy of $2.6 trillion a year. He cited corruption in countries as diverse as Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Nigeria as causing civil unrest that ballooned into international crises.
[Russian airstrikes are working in Syria — enough to put peace talks in doubt][Russian airstrikes are working in Syria — enough to put peace talks in doubt]
“It complicates every security, diplomatic, and social initiative we undertake,” he said. “And this in and of itself creates tension, instability, and a perfect playing field for predators.” “It complicates every security, diplomatic and social initiative we undertake,” he said. “And this in and of itself creates tension, instability and a perfect playing field for predators.
“The fact is there is absolutely nothing more demoralizing and disempowering to any citizen of any nation than the belief the system is rigged against them and that people in positions of power are — to use a diplomatic term of art — crooks who are stealing the future of their own people,” he said. “The fact is, there is absolutely nothing more demoralizing and disempowering to any citizen of any nation than the belief the system is rigged against them and that people in positions of power are — to use a diplomatic term of art — crooks who are stealing the future of their own people,” he said.
Kerry’s remarks were an expansion of his speech at the same forum last year, when he called the fight against violent extremism the defining challenge of our times. This year, Kerry argued that significant and consistent progress has been made in Syria and Iraq against the caliphate formed by the Islamic State, a group Kerry usually refers to by its Arab acronym, Daesh.Kerry’s remarks were an expansion of his speech at the same forum last year, when he called the fight against violent extremism the defining challenge of our times. This year, Kerry argued that significant and consistent progress has been made in Syria and Iraq against the caliphate formed by the Islamic State, a group Kerry usually refers to by its Arab acronym, Daesh.
“We’ve known from the moment we formed our international coalition that success would take years,” he said, adding, “But in the end, mark my words, Daesh will be defeated — and the progress we have already made toward that end is undeniable. Our operational tempo is accelerating, the support of our allies is broadening, our partners on the ground are becoming stronger, and the terrorists never know what might hit them or from where.” “We’ve known from the moment we formed our international coalition that success would take years,” he said. “But in the end, mark my words, Daesh will be defeated — and the progress we have already made toward that end is undeniable. Our operational tempo is accelerating, the support of our allies is broadening, our partners on the ground are becoming stronger, and the terrorists never know what might hit them or from where.”
He said nothing would do more to “terminate” the threat the group poses than to end the civil war in Syria. United Nations-sponsored peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups are due to start next week in Geneva.He said nothing would do more to “terminate” the threat the group poses than to end the civil war in Syria. United Nations-sponsored peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups are due to start next week in Geneva.
“Every country in the region opposes Daesh, and even governments that disagree on other issues acknowledge the war must end and a diplomatic solution must be found,” he said. “No one has more incentive than the Syrians themselves to write a new chapter in their country’s history.”“Every country in the region opposes Daesh, and even governments that disagree on other issues acknowledge the war must end and a diplomatic solution must be found,” he said. “No one has more incentive than the Syrians themselves to write a new chapter in their country’s history.”
Refugees flooding Europe to escape the Syrian war have been a large factor contributing to the highest number of refugees since World War II. The United Nations estimates there are now 20 million refugees and 40 million displaced persons around the world. Refugees flooding Europe to escape the Syrian war have been a large factor contributing to the highest number of refugees since World War II. The United Nations estimates that there are now 20 million refugees and 40 million displaced persons around the world.
[The big thing missing from Europe’s solution to the refugee crisis? Refugees.][The big thing missing from Europe’s solution to the refugee crisis? Refugees.]
The Obama administration will host a summit on refugees at the fall session of the United Nations General Assembly. Kerry said participants will be asked to increase not only their donations by $3 billion but to double the number of refugees they are willing to resettle.The Obama administration will host a summit on refugees at the fall session of the United Nations General Assembly. Kerry said participants will be asked to increase not only their donations by $3 billion but to double the number of refugees they are willing to resettle.
A State Department fact sheet related to Kerry’s announcement said Washington will announce “significant new commitments over the coming months, and will strongly encourage other nations to do the same.”A State Department fact sheet related to Kerry’s announcement said Washington will announce “significant new commitments over the coming months, and will strongly encourage other nations to do the same.”
William Lacy Swing, director general of the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration, welcomed Washington's efforts to raise more money. Beleaguered humanitarian groups have had trouble meeting even half the refugee needs that have grown exponentially in the past year.William Lacy Swing, director general of the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration, welcomed Washington's efforts to raise more money. Beleaguered humanitarian groups have had trouble meeting even half the refugee needs that have grown exponentially in the past year.
“It will certainly be a great help,” he said in an interview. “It should encourage others to join in the effort.”“It will certainly be a great help,” he said in an interview. “It should encourage others to join in the effort.”