A Department of State blog post touts winning the fight against “violent extremists” as a major success of 2015 along with efforts to bring peace and security to Syria.
Following up on Secretary of State John Kerry’s end of the message to department employees, the department posted a year-in-review message on Christmas Eve, which also praised the nuclear deal with Iran, restoring diplomatic ties with the communist regime of Cuba and the recent global climate agreement among accomplishments of the administration.
Though the year ends after the Islamic State pulled off the deadliest attack on France since World War II and as Americans are increasingly worried about the threat posed by terrorism, the message praises successes stemming from February’s White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism.
“Although challenges remain, we have made positive strides over the last year, including in our fight against ISIL,” the message read. “This forward progress will only continue as more countries pledge resources to the anti-ISIL effort and as citizens around the world increasingly reject ISIL’s misguided ideology.”
As is the policy of the administration, the message declined to describe the Islamic State as an Islamist group instead opting for the more generic “violent extremism” label.
The blog post was adapting a trending hashtag campaign on Twitter, #2015in5Words. Another highlight, under the subheading, “Bringing Peace, Security to Syria,” acknowledges that, “The conflict in Syria has continued to unfold in tragic ways over the course of 2015. From the humanitarian crisis endured by refugees fleeing violence, to the reprehensible human rights violations and violence carried out by the Asad regime, the Syrian people have borne a heavy load.”
It then goes on to praise the humanitarian aid delivered by the U.S. and notes, “Led by Secretary Kerry, the United States also continues to push for a political transition in Syria, and under his stewardship, in December, the U.N. Security Council passed a U.S.-sponsored resolution that puts forward a roadmap that will facilitate a transition within Syria to a credible, inclusive, nonsectarian government that is responsive to the needs of the Syrian people.”
The message also has an entry boasting, “Iran Peaceful Nuclear Program Ensured,” praising the agreement with the terrorist regime. But as negotiated, the deal would empower Iran in the short-term, allow it to enrich uranium and obtain ballistic missiles, and begin to wind down in 10-15 years, giving the regime a roadmap to obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Read the full post here.
