A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill to support the U.S. government’s efforts to reduce violent extremism and address global fragility.
The Global Fragility Act requires the Secretary of State, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Secretary of Defense to collaborate on a 10-year initiative to reduce fragility in at least five priority countries.
Fragile states can become threats because their governments are seen as ineffective or illegitimate by their citizens. Thus, they may be subject to a higher degree of terrorism, violent conflict, criminal activity, and corruption.
“As the U.S. responds to the many humanitarian crises around the world, we must address the factors driving instability and violence. It is both moral and in our national security interest to promote stable and prosperous countries that can one day be reliable allies and partners,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), one of the bill’s sponsors said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Todd Young (R-IN).
“The United States is a leader in responding to global humanitarian crises, yet lacks a long-term, cohesive strategy for addressing the root causes of extremism and instability that turn fragile states into failed states,” Coons said. “The United States has spent nearly $5.9 trillion in the 18 years since 9/11 in combatting extremism and terrorism around the world. This legislation is a genuinely bipartisan approach to prevent terrorism from taking hold in the first place.”
The legislation also calls for the development of a global Partnership Development Fund to leverage public and private resources from partners around the world.
“Our goal is to prevent fragile states from falling into the abyss and becoming breeding grounds for extremists,” Graham said. “To do that, we have to have partners. At the end of the day, we have to offer a hopeful life to compete against the extremists dark vision of a glorious death. Finally, we are not talking about nation-building; instead, we are talking about the United States doing more on deterrence and prevention which, in the long run, will make us safer at home.”
The bill has already been approved in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“When we help countries become stronger and more stable, we make it harder for terrorists, criminals, and other violent groups to put down roots. That makes the United States and our partners safer. In the years since 9/11, we’ve all seen what can happen when we don’t take that preventive, holistic approach to our engagement abroad,” bill sponsor Rep. Elliot Engel (D-NY) said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Adam Smith (D-WA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Bill Keating (D-MA), and Francis Rooney (R-FL).
“Violent conflict and instability