The Donald Trump administration has published the U.S. counterterrorism strategy for 2026 — the document is tough and straightforward. The list of main threats includes not only Islamists but also drug cartels and radical political groups, according to the White House website.
According to the White House document, the new U.S. strategy is based on the principles of "America First" and "Peace Through Strength." The document identifies three main types of terrorist groups: drug terrorists, traditional Islamist terrorists, and violent left-wing extremists. The White House categorizes anti-American and "radically pro-transgender" groups, including anarchists and members of "Antifa," in the latter category.
Trump's direct quote in the preface to the document: "When I returned to the White House on January 20, 2025, four years of weakness, failure, capitulation, and humiliation ended. Our new U.S. counterterrorism strategy is a return to common sense and peace through strength. If you harm Americans or plan to do so, we will find you and kill you."
In the Middle Eastern section of the strategy, Iran is named "the number one sponsor of terror." Washington has significantly expanded the list of terrorist organizations, adding cells of the "Muslim Brotherhood" in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Jordan. At the same time, the White House reported the successful conclusion of the war in Gaza and the establishment of a local "Council for Peace."
The document pays special attention to combating drug trafficking. The turnover of fentanyl has officially been equated to weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. allows for preemptive strikes against cartels and supply channels.
The Trump administration is firmly demanding that European NATO allies immediately increase security spending and change migration policies. Washington emphasizes that mass migration has turned Europe into a logistical and recruiting hub for international terrorism.
"American officials have become accustomed to thinking about European problems in terms of insufficient military spending and economic stagnation. There is some truth to this, but the real problems in Europe run deeper."
In Africa and Asian countries, the United States intends to shift the burden of combating terrorism onto local partners, providing them primarily with intelligence support.
The new strategy shows that the U.S. is betting on a tougher and more forceful approach to security, writes bb.lv. The priority is to act preemptively and expand the scope of threats, even if it exacerbates relations with partners and increases global tensions.
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