A Democratic senator argued Thursday that “corruption and the dysfunction that follows it fuels violent extremism” around the world, at a hearing focusing on the dangers of failing governments abroad.

“Corruption pushes young people towards violence and extremism because they lose faith in institutions that are supposed to protect and serve them. And terrorist groups use corruption to recruit followers in their hateful crimes,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., at a hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.