At a major press event Monday, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump outlined his plan for countering radical Islamic terrorism, which includes putting an end to U.S. nation building in foreign countries.
The GOP presidential hopeful laid out his plan in a speech in Youngstown, Ohio Monday afternoon. Trump’s claim that his administration would work with any country that shares the goal of destroying the Islamic State raised a few eyebrows. In related statements, Trump made a slight (but noticeable) reversal in his previous criticism of NATO.
Trump started his speech by claiming the U.S. is facing an unprecedented threat from radical Islamic terrorism.
“We can never, ever allow this to happen again,” said Trump, after listing, blow-by-blow, all of the recent ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks within the U.S. in recent months. He later recounted the various attacks across Europe, particularly focusing in on the priet who was beheaded in Paris a month ago, calling him “beloved.”
For Trump, it is a question of knowing the enemy.
“We cannot let this evil continue,” Trump noted. “Anyone who cannot name our enemy is not fit to lead our country,” he said, criticizing President Barack Obama’s unwillingness to use the words “radical Islam” when referring to terrorism.
Trump went on to claim that decisions made by Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton led to the rise of the ISIS, pointing out that the group did not exist in 2009 when Obama took office. Trump also said the Obama administration has allowed Iran, the top state sponsor of terrorism, to obtain a dominant regional position in the Middle East.
“It is now time for a new approach,” said the GOP nominee, claiming the U.S. policy of nation building has been an “absolute failure.” He reminded the audience that he was an opponent of the Iraq war in 2003, and that the hope for actual democracy in the country was unrealistic.
“What was the purpose of this whole thing?” Trump asked rhetorically, claiming the reasons for invading Iraq were “blatantly wrong.” He then accused Clinton and Obama of being “reckless” in how they pulled out of Iraq.
“If I become president, the era of nation building will be brought to a very swift and decisive end,” said Trump.
Trump took a more friendly perspective on NATO in his speech, saying he would be willing to support NATO if it continues to make policy changes that will help counter the threat posed by Islamic terrorism. He added that the U.S. “can find common ground with Russia” in the fight against ISIS.
The U.S. cannot let the internet be used as a recruiting tool, said Trump, adding that his administration would cut off access for terrorist groups like ISIS. He said that the counter-terrorism fight will not be limited to ISIS, and that his administration would decimate groups like al-Qaida, Hamas and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Trump said he intends to use a robust combination of sanctions and cyber warfare to help mitigate the terrorist threat.
Trump explained that the U.S. must use “ideological warfare” to counter radical ideas in addition to other conventional military means in order to fight against radical Islamic terrorism. He noted that his administration would reach out to moderate Muslim reformers and fight against issues like honor killings. He then admonished attendees that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has taken money from the same people who promote radical Islamic beliefs.
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