White House Reveals New Initiative to Combat Violent Extremism

The White House released a statement Friday announcing a new plan for countering extremist propaganda from the Islamic State and other violent groups in the United States and abroad.

Image source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are working to form a “Countering Violent Extremism Task Force” to “integrate and harmonize” domestic efforts to counter violent extremism, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said.

The State Department will also establish a “Global Engagement Center” to collaborate with international partners in order to message against extremist propaganda and “shift away from direct messaging.”

“The horrific attacks in Paris and San Bernardino this winter underscored the need for the United States and our partners in the international community and the private sector to deny violent extremists like ISIL fertile recruitment ground,” Price said.

Senior officials from the White House and across the President’s national security team met Friday in Silicon Valley with representatives from leading technology companies to follow up on the president’s call in his Dec. 6 address for the government and private spheres to work together in catching and preventing violent extremist movements that arise online.