US says migration has made Europe an ‘incubator’ for terrorism in new counter-terrorism strategy

The Trump administration has accused Europe of being an “incubator” for terrorism fuelled by mass migration, in a new counter-terrorism strategy unveiled on Wednesday.

The strategy also focuses on rooting out “violent left-wing extremists” including “radically pro-transgender” groups, as Trump’s conservative administration steps up its political attacks on opponents.

It also further places drug cartels in the Americas at the centre of counter-terrorism efforts.

But some of its strongest language is reserved for Europe, home to numerous US allies who will be alarmed to see their continent in the Trump administration’s crosshairs once again.

“It is clear to all that well-organised hostile groups exploit open borders and related globalist ideals. The more these alien cultures grow, and the longer current European policies persist, the more terrorism is guaranteed,” the strategy said.

“As the birthplace of Western culture and values, Europe must act now and halt its willful decline,” said the strategy, led by counter-terrorism coordinator Sebastian Gorka.

The report said that European nations remained the US’s “preeminent and long-term counterterrorism partners”, but stated: “The world is safer when Europe is strong, but Europe is greatly threatened and is both a terror target and an incubator of terror threats.”

The fresh criticism of Europe comes just months after Trump’s new national security strategy said the continent faced “civilizational erasure” due to immigration.

Trump has also recently lashed out at European Nato allies for failing to help with his war on Iran.

Trump’s administration has moved aggressively to reshape the western hemisphere region with the ouster of Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s president, dozens of US military strikes on alleged drug boats operated by cartels and .