Trump security strategy: Defeat Radical Islam, Israel not the problem

“The threats from radical jihadist terrorist organizations and the threat from Iran are creating the realization that Israel is not the cause of the region’s problems. States have increasingly found common interests with Israel.”  

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump declared a new national security strategy on Monday, stressing the “America first” message of his 2016 campaign and faulting previous US leaders for failing to measure up to it and look out for the nation’s citizens.

“On Nov. 8, 2016, you voted to make America great again,” he said. “The American people rejected the failures of the past.”

The strategy identifies four vital national interests, or “four pillars” as: Protect the homeland, the American people, and American way of life; promote American prosperity; preserve peace through strength; and advance American influence.

The strategy emphasizes that “U.S. economic security is national security.” It stresses that the U.S. is interested only in relationships with other countries, including in alliances such as NATO, that are fair and reciprocal.

The US is investing in defense and has “withdrawn the US from job-killing deals such as the Trans-Pacific partnership and the very expensive and unfair Paris climate accord,” Trump said.

Enumerating his successes since taking office, Trump said the stock market is at an all-time high, more than 2 million new jobs have been created and unemployment is at a 17-year low.

The strategy details the threats of “rogue regimes,” such as North Korea. China and Russia “challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity.”

The  document asserts that “for generations the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has been understood as the prime irritant preventing peace and prosperity in the region. Today, the threats from radical jihadist terrorist organizations and the threat from Iran are creating the realization that Israel is not the cause of the region’s problems. States have increasingly found common interests with Israel in confronting common threats.”

‘America will lead again’

The US is implementing strict new vetting procedures to keep terrorists out of the US and fighting radical Islamic ideology and terror funding, he said, citing success in defeating ISIS and his decision not to recertify the Iran nuclear deal.

“We have dealt ISIS one devastating defeat after another,” he stated.

“America will lead again,” Trump affirmed. “We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but we will champion the values without apology. We want strong alliances and partnerships based on cooperation and reciprocity. We will make new partnerships with those who share our goals.”