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Obama, Barack

World Leaders Unite Against Islamic State After Paris Attacks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

At the G-20 Summit in Turkey, European Union leaders observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the attacks in Paris, while the leaders of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations vowed to boost intelligence-sharing, cut off terrorist funding, and strengthen border security in Europe. US President Barack Obama described the Islamic State as "the face of evil" and urged other nations to do more to combat the threat it poses, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the need for a multitude of measures to tackle the challenge.

Key Takeaways:

  • US President Barack Obama described the Islamic State as "the face of evil" and urged other nations to do more to combat the threat it poses.
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the need for a multitude of measures to tackle the challenge, including cutting off terrorist funding and strengthening border security.
  • World leaders agreed to intensify the anti-Islamic State campaign, including expanding intelligence sharing and identifying targets for airstrikes.
  • British Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to host a donor conference early next year to raise "significant new funding" to tackle the flood of refugees spilling out of Syria.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to cut off the militants' ability to generate revenue through oil smuggling.
  • Leaders spoke in broad strokes of their pledges to intensify the anti-Islamic State campaign, with a focus on finding a political solution that brings peace to Syria and enables the millions of refugees to return home.

Statistics:

  • At least 129 people were killed and hundreds wounded in the Paris attacks.
  • The Syrian civil war has created a vacuum for the Islamic State to thrive, with over 250,000 people dead and a massive refugee crisis in Europe.
  • The US was expanding its intelligence sharing with the French and helping them identify targets.
  • The G-20 meeting in Turkey was attended by world leaders from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the US, and Russia.

Sources:

  • Anadolu Agency via AP, Pool
  • Associated Press
  • The Guardian
  • Reuters
  • Bloomberg

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